Alexander Zverev got off to a perfect start at the 2026 French Open, as he continues his search for a maiden Grand Slam title.
The German defeated Benjamin Bonzi in straight sets to kick-start his campaign in Paris, winning 6-3, 6-4, 6-2.
Zverev will take on Tomas Machac in the next round, against whom he has a winning record of 1-0 at tour-level events.
Will Alexander Zverev ever win a Grand Slam title?
Prior to the French Open starting, the world number three stated that Jannik Sinner is the best player in the world currently, and followed that with: “There’s a big gap between Alcaraz, myself, maybe Novak, and everybody else.”
His comments received a lot of criticism, with many believing Zverev was suggesting he is on the same level as Carlos Alcaraz, but now he has explained himself.
Alexander Zverev addresses his recent controversial comments
Speaking to John and Patrick McEnroe on the ‘MacZone‘, Zverev was asked if he thinks he can beat Sinner in the French capital this year.
He replied: “Look, I think it’s no secret that Jannik is playing the best. But I do believe, and I have to believe it, that I can beat him.
“Even though I lost to him quite easily in Monaco, I lost to him quite easily in Madrid. I didn’t play good tennis in those two matches.
“So if I play good tennis, if I am the person I want to be on the court, like against Carlos [at the Australian Open], I will at least have chances. And that’s what I got to tell myself.
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“I got to tell myself that right now, ranking-wise, because I got in a lot of trouble when I said I feel like Jannik is the best and me, Carlos, and Novak are a step behind.
“What I meant was at that moment. And in that moment, that was the truth because Carlos was injured. Novak hasn’t played since Indian Wells. So that was the case.
“Career-wise, I’m not saying that I’m there. I don’t compare myself to them. I’m not an idiot.
“But right now, ranking-wise, I’m the second-highest-ranked player here. I have to believe that I can beat the best player in the world. That’s as simple as that.”
Alexander Zverev reflects on his Australian Open loss to Carlos Alcaraz
Zverev came close to defeating Alcaraz at the Australian Open earlier this year, having forced the eventual champion to a fifth set.
Recalling the match, Zverev said: “I played good tennis and I was doing exactly what I was told to do.
“It was the plan that me and my team had for the year to be more aggressive, to be the ones dictating the points.
“And I felt like against Carlos here, you’re never going to be always the one that is aggressive against Carlos, right? Because he has big weapons, he has big shots. But I was still the one that on my serve, I was dominant.
“When I had the chances, I was taking them, I was going for shots. And I lost the match because it was a tough physical battle where we both went to our limits. I didn’t lose the match because I backed off, I feel like.
“Even at 5-4, people were telling me, why didn’t you hit the forehand a bit harder? Why didn’t you serve a bit harder? I was like, I had nothing left in my legs. To hit the ball hard or to be aggressive, you still have to find the position with your legs.
“If your legs are just not there, you’re not going to swing just with your upper body. So I was still positive. I felt like I was doing the right things. And I lost a tough match, which can happen. I meant that I didn’t jump ahead at all.”
With no Alcaraz at this year’s French Open due to injury, Zverev has a golden opportunity to reach a Grand Slam final for the fourth time in his career.
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