Alexander Zverev struggled on clay courts at the beginning of 2025 but now looks to have found his feet.
The world number two played two clay court tournaments in South America for the first time this year, failing to reach the semi-finals of either the Argentina Open or Rio Open.
Zverev then lost to Matteo Berrettini in his opening match at the Monte-Carlo Masters, as his 2025 clay-court record fell to 3-3.
Bouncing back in Munich, Zverev beat Ben Shelton in the final to clinch his first title of the season.
Carrying that form through to Madrid, Zverev took down Roberto Bautista Agut in his opener, as he now shares his thoughts on clay.
Alexander Zverev says conditions are ‘different’ at every clay court tournament
Speaking to the media after his win over Bautista Agut at the Madrid Open, Zverev shed some insight into the varying conditions players are battling with on clay.
“Clay is the surface where the biggest differences happen,” said Zverev.
“There is a big difference whether it’s 30 degrees or ten degrees, there is a big difference whether it’s raining or it’s completely dry. Big difference obviously in altitude, sea level.
“When it’s cold, it feels like you’re running with the clay; when it’s hot, it feels like the clay is just on top of the court, like a powder almost, so there are big differences in different courts, also in weather conditions on clay.”
Zverev suggested that different courts suit different players, but admitted there was one notable exception.
“A lot of the times, except if you’re Rafa [Nadal], then it doesn’t matter where you play, but a lot of the times different players win on surfaces with different conditions,” he said.
“For example, I a lot of the time win when it’s hot, right.
“All the Masters 1000 tournaments on clay I won were always in conditions where it was very warm.
“Last week in Munich, I won because it was very warm, the years before in Munich, I could barely win a match because it was eight degrees and sometimes snowing, it really makes a big difference.
- 2025 Munich Open – Winner
- 2024 Munich Open – Lost in QF
- 2023 Munich Open – Lost in 2R
- 2022 Munich Open – Lost in 2R
- 2021 Munich Open – Lost in QF
- 2019 Munich Open – Lost in QF
- 2018 Munich Open – Winner
- 2017 Munich Open – Winner
- 2016 Munich Open – Lost in SF
- 2015 Munich Open – Lost in QF
“I think non-tennis people who watch tennis don’t really understand what that means, but there is a massive difference in conditions.”
The German explained how the conditions in Madrid suit him far more than they did at the Monte-Carlo Masters earlier this month.
“The altitude, we’re at 700 metres altitude, the ball is much faster, much higher bounce. I think the altitude makes a big difference,” said Zverev.
“Also, all three big courts it feels like you’re playing an indoor tournament.
“There’s a reason why, for example, in Monaco I’ve never been past the semi-finals, but Madrid and Rome I both won twice before.”
| Tournament | 2016 | 2017 | 2018 | 2019 | 2020 | 2021 | 2022 | 2023 | 2024 | 2025 |
| Monte-Carlo | 2R | 3R | SF | 3R | – | 3R | SF | 3R | 3R | 2R |
| Madrid | – | QF | W | QF | – | W | F | 4R | 4R | – |
| Rome | 2R | W | F | 2R | – | QF | SF | 4R | W | – |
Zverev will no doubt hope to add a third Madrid Open title to his resume at this year’s tournament.
Alexander Zverev set to take on Spain’s last hope Alejandro Davidovich Fokina in Madrid
Spanish fans were hoping to see their home hero win another title in 2025, before Carlos Alcaraz withdrew from Madrid due to injury.
Alcaraz’s fellow Spaniards failed to impress in his absence, as just one home player made it through to the third round.
- Jaume Munar – Lost to Roberto Bautista Agut in 1R
- Pablo Carreno Busta – Lost to Nuno Borges in 1R
- Pedro Martinez – Lost to Francisco Comesana in 1R
- Martin Landaluce – Lost to Cameron Norrie in 1R
- Roberto Bautista Agut – Lost to Alexander Zverev in 2R
Alejandro Davidovich Fokina will be flying the flag for Spain when he takes on the number one seed, but he will be a big underdog for their match, having beaten him just once previously.
The Spaniard got the better of Zverev at the Canadian Open two years ago but lost their one previous meeting on the clay.
| Match | Winner | Loser | Score |
| 2023 China Open – 2R | Alexander Zverev | Alejandro Davidovich Fokina | 6-7, 6-2, 6-1 |
| 2023 Canadian Open – 2R | Alejandro Davidovich Fokina | Alexander Zverev | 6-1, 6-2 |
| 2021 French Open – QF | Alexander Zverev | Alejandro Davidovich Fokina | 6-4, 6-1, 6-1 |
| 2020 Cologne 1 – SF | Alexander Zverev | Alejandro Davidovich Fokina | 7-5, 7-6 |
| 2020 US Open – 4R | Alexander Zverev | Alejandro Davidovich Fokina | 6-2, 6-2, 6-1 |
It remains to be seen who will come out on top when the pair face off for a sixth time.
Zverev will take on Davidovich Fokina for a place in the fourth round of the 2025 Madrid Open on Sunday, April 27.
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