THE CHAMPIONSHIPS

July 7, 2023

Alexander Zverev

Press Conference

A. ZVEREV/Y. Watanuki

6-4, 5-7, 6-2, 6-2

THE MODERATOR: Welcome to the press conference of Alexander Zverev.

Questions, please.

Q. Sorry to jump to the next match already, but since you have played Matteo before, what are your thoughts about the matches you've had and the challenge of facing him on grass?

ALEXANDER ZVEREV: I think he's one of the best grass court players that we have. In the last few years he's made a Wimbledon final. He's won Queen's two times. I think he's an incredible player on grass.

I think he found his form again. He's playing very good tennis. Yeah, I think you can't really compare the matches we played before to this one. Very different surface. I think his favorite surface. My probably least favorite.

So, yeah... But in general I think it's going to be an entertaining match. I think it's going to be a match that maybe the crowd is also looking forward to a little bit.

Yeah, hopefully it's going to be fun to play.

Q. You said your least favorite surface. When you get through matches here, what is the feeling that you have as you advance?

ALEXANDER ZVEREV: No, I mean, least favorite, but I still can play on the surface. I made finals in Halle twice. I made it to the second week here a few times. Compared to the other ones, I've won more on the other ones. It's still a surface I can enjoy playing on. I think if I'm playing well, I can enjoy playing here.

Q. Your game right now?

ALEXANDER ZVEREV: Yeah, feel good.

Q. Regarding today's match, it seemed the first two sets you played a little bit uncomfortable. The last two sets you get a little bit better compared to the first two sets. What's the difference between the two? And if anything about Watanuki surprised you?

ALEXANDER ZVEREV: I didn't expect him serving the way he's serving. I didn't know he can serve 135 miles an hour. I didn't see that coming. I also don't know him quite well. That maybe surprised me in the first two sets a little bit and then I got used to it. I got used to it. I think he gave me a few more second serves as well.

I think from the baseline, for now, he's still very young. I think for now I'm the better player. So, yeah, once I got into the rallies, I was able to play my tennis. I felt more comfortable.