Alexander Zverev ranks how likely Novak Djokovic is to win Roland Garros compared to Jannik Sinner and himself

Follow us on Google Discover

Alexander Zverev is through to the quarter-finals at Roland Garros after his fourth-round opponent, Tallon Griekspoor, withdrew mid-match.

Zverev advanced to the last eight at the French Open for the fifth consecutive time, having made the semi-finals at the tournament from 2021 to 2023, and finishing runner-up last year, when Alcaraz emerged victorious.

The German is still in pursuit of his first Grand Slam title, after suffering a near-miss at the Australian Open in January.

His next opponent in Paris is 24-time major champion Novak Djokovic, who the world number three had words for in his post-match press conference.

Alexander Zverev ranks how likely Novak Djokovic is to win Roland Garros

When asked if Djokovic is a dark horse at the tournament, Zverev responded: “I mean, the guy won 24 Grand Slams, he’s never going to be a black horse.

“He definitely knows how to play tennis; he knows what it means to play on the big stage, and to play big matches, there’s no doubt about that.

“Novak Djokovic will never be a black horse. For me, Carlos [Alcaraz] is the favourite, I’ve said that before, and then I’d say the next three in line are Jannik [Sinner], myself and Novak.

“I still believe that on tennis and on experience, Novak is still up there with us, no question at all.

“I think from now on I have the toughest draw in the tournament, so I’m looking forward to the battles.”

Alexander Zverev’s record against Novak Djokovic ahead of their clash at Roland Garros

Zverev has played Djokovic 13 times in his career, and has emerged victorious in five of their meetings.

He won their first bout at the Italian Open in 2017, beating the Serb in straight sets on the clay courts of Rome.

The 2024 Roland Garros finalist beat Djokovic in the final of the ATP Finals in 2021, and then again en route to his Olympic gold medal in Tokyo, winning against the legend in the semi-finals.

Their most recent match was in the Australian Open semi-final this season, which Djokovic had to withdraw from due to injury.

Zverev will have his chance to win their second French Open meeting, with their first match against each other in Paris going the way of the former world number one in 2019.