"You're trying to get a controversy out of me, which you're not going to get"- Alexander Zverev when asked if he'd ever be friends with Stefanos Tsitsipas
Alexander Zverev was denied a third appearance in the final of the Rome Masters after a 4-6, 6-3, 6-3 loss to Stefanos Tsitsipas on Saturday.
Rivalry dominance: REAFFIRMED 🇬🇷
@steftsitsipas outlasts Zverev in three sets to reach his maiden Rome final - his fifth at Masters 1000 level - at #IBI22! https://t.co/u4BVpYBUwQ
Tsitsipas and Zverev have had one of the most riveting rivalries of the past few years, with the two squaring off on eight occasions. They've had plenty of controversial moments, with the German once accusing the Greek of receiving on-court coaching during a match.
During his post-match press-conference on Saturday, Zverev was asked whether he wanted to be friends with Stefanos Tsitsipas. Perceiving the question as an attempt at brewing controversy, the 25-year-old asserted that their relationship has been cordial ever since they teamed up to represent Team Europe at the Laver Cup.
"You're trying to get a controversy out of me, which you're not going to get," Zverev remarked. "I think my relationship with Stefanos has been quite good over the last I would say two years, three years since we played Laver Cup together. I don't have any problems with him. I wished him the best of luck for tomorrow's final. But we are competitors, so at the end of the day when we're going on court we're trying to win. But I don't have any issues with him."
The World No. 3 also touched upon certain aspects of the match. Zverev reckoned that the early service break he conceded in the second set changed the course of the match. Having made the final in Madrid last week, Zverev revealed that he felt the effects of such a grueling few weeks.
"I think I gave away the break too early in the second set," Zverev said. "I think since then he started playing much better. I think my level went down a little bit. I returned much worse, I think, the next two sets than I did in the first set. But also, I mean, I got a little bit tired, to be honest. I played the final Madrid. Played long matches here. I mean, I'm not a machine. I'm a human being. This is normal."
Next stop for Alexander Zverev: Roland Garros
Alexander Zverev will now head to Roland Garros as he continues his pursuit of a maiden Grand Slam title. The German has had a remarkable season on the red dirt thus far, having made at least the semifinals in Monte-Carlo, Madrid and Rome. He will be hoping to carry the momentum to Roland Garros, which begins on 22 May.
Alexander Zverev reached the semifinals at the French Open last year, but lost to familiar foe Stefanos Tsitsipas in a five-set thriller. He is projected to be the third seed at the tournament later this month for the first time since the 2018 edition.