"Rafael Nadal is going to play a lot better; Jannik Sinner and Carlos Alcaraz depend on health" - Alexander Zverev on rivals' French Open 2024 chances
Alexander Zverev has shared his thoughts on Rafael Nadal and Novak Djokovic's chances at the 2024 French Open. He also weighed in on Jannik Sinner and Carlos Alcaraz's prospects, following their decision to skip the Italian Open due to injuries.
Amid Sinner and Alcaraz's absence from the Italian Open due to injury, and with Nadal and Djokovic making early exits, Zverev clinched his sixth ATP Masters 1000 title at the event.
The German claimed a commanding 6-4, 7-5 win over Nicolas Jarry in an hour and 41 minutes in the final, guaranteeing himself the World No. 4 ranking in the lead-up to the French Open.
Following his triumph, Alexander Zverev addressed the doubts surrounding Novak Djokovic and Rafael Nadal's form heading into Roland Garros.
Despite their setbacks, the 27-year-old expressed his belief that Djokovic will perform at his best in Paris and emphasized that Nadal's early exits from the Madrid Open and Italian Open don't reflect the level he will display at the claycourt Major.
"Nole is going to be at his best. You'll see. It's just the way it is. Rafa is going to play a lot better than he did in Madrid and Rome. I'm certain about that," Zverev said in his post-match press conference.
The German also suggested that Carlos Alcaraz and Jannik Sinner's performance at the French Open depends on their health. He said that if they're in good shape, they're two of the best players in the world and will pose a significant threat at the Major.
"The other two, they just depend on health. If they're healthy, they're two of the best players in the world, for sure, and there's no question about it. Whether or not they are healthy, I cannot answer because I don't know. I'm not inside their body," he said.
"I saw Jannik posted a picture of him practicing again, so I'm assuming he's fine and feeling good on the tennis court. Look, it's all about health. When they're healthy, they're two of the best players in the world," he added.
Rafael Nadal: "I wish to meet Jannik Sinner and Carlos Alcaraz at French Open 2024"
During his campaign at the Italian Open, Rafael Nadal addressed Jannik Sinner and Carlos Alcaraz's absence from the Masters 1000 event due to injuries, acknowledging it as a big loss for the tournament.
"The injuries have been always there. That's the truth. I understand that for you guys Jannik is not playing here is a terrible news, especially the way he's playing this year," Nadal said in a press conference at the Italian Open.
"We can talk about that (injuries) for hours because at the end we have been talking about that for so many years. Now with Carlos and with Jannik not playing here, the conversation is on the table again. Nothing changes. Just the coincidence that two of the best players of the world are injured today," he added.
The 22-time Grand Slam champion also extended his best wishes to the duo, expressing hope for the opportunity to meet them at the upcoming French Open.
"I wish him (Jannik Sinner), and Carlos (Alcaraz) of course, all the best and I wish to meet them in Roland Garros," he said.
With the French Open approaching, both Sinner and Alcaraz have been diligently training under the watchful eyes of their respective coaches to overcome their injury concerns and take part in the claycourt Major.
Nadal is also reportedly engaging in a training block at his academy in Mallorca before heading to Paris to commence his bid for his 15th French Open title.