DUBAI DUTY FREE TENNIS CHAMPIONSHIPS

February 27, 2023

Alexander Zverev

Dubai Duty Free Tennis Stadium

Press Conference

A. ZVEREV/J. Lehecka

4-6, 6-3, 6-4

THE MODERATOR: Questions, please.

Q. What did you make of the game you played?

ALEXANDER ZVEREV: Yeah, I think it obviously wasn't my best match, especially in the first set, but it was very important for me to turn it around. It was very important for me to find a way to win, especially at the stage I'm in right now.

I'm happy I did that. I'm sure I'll play better in the next match.

Q. (Question about progress he has made of late.)

ALEXANDER ZVEREV: I think Doha so far was the best. Even though I lost the match, I think I played an incredible match.

I think today I probably moved the best after the first set, regarding my foot. That makes me very happy. The tennis hopefully will come.

Q. What do you think you need to work on or improve in your game before the upcoming match?

ALEXANDER ZVEREV: I don't think you can improve anything in a day, so...

I think it's finding your rhythm and finding what you can and bringing the game that I did in practice, because in practice I was playing well here the last few days. Just bringing that on the match court.

Q. After the second set, what were you thinking? What did you change in your game?

ALEXANDER ZVEREV: After the second set?

Q. Yes.

ALEXANDER ZVEREV: Actually I just tried to keep the energy from the second set up, just kind of get that momentum into the third set. I felt like I could have broken him earlier than I did, but I broke him at - what was it - 2-All I think. I'm happy that I broke him at 4-All because that was quite important for me.

Q. You mentioned the need for consistency on court. How do you get that consistency in your game?

ALEXANDER ZVEREV: By playing matches. I think I'm a player that needs matches. I've always said that also in the past. Especially when you've been out for seven months, you just need to play matches and it will hopefully come back.

Q. (Question regarding Novak's record for weeks at No. 1.)

ALEXANDER ZVEREV: I think I said in Doha already, that shows the achievement he has. He's been dominating tennis for the last 10, 12 years. I've said that. On all the different surfaces, he can play the best tennis. That's why his ranking has been constantly up there.

Yeah, that's just another record that he breaks, to be honest, because that's what we're used to for him.

Q. Would you want to face him here in Dubai?

ALEXANDER ZVEREV: Yes, because that means it's a final, so... I don't care who I play in the final if I'm in the final, to be honest right now.