Alexander Zverev was dominated by Jannik Sinner in the Madrid Open final.
Sinner defeated Zverev in straight sets, 6-1, 6-2, to become the first player in history to win five consecutive ATP Masters 1000 crowns.
The Italian dropped just one set through the entirety of the Madrid Open, which came in his opening-round clash with Benjamin Bonzi.
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It was a historic result for the world number one, but a concerning one for Zverev, who has now lost nine consecutive matches against Sinner at tour-level events.
Following his defeat, the German was asked how he feels both mentally and physically heading into Roland Garros.
Alexander Zverev speaks after heavy defeat in the Madrid Open final
Speaking in his post-match press conference, Zverev said: “Right now I’m exhausted, to be honest. Yeah, I think two-week events are difficult. Mentally, you have to stay focused for longer.
“I think here also, I mean, I like to play night matches, but I feel jetlagged a little bit because during the last week I think I didn’t go to bed before 4 a.m. one time. It’s difficult.
“Then I also feel like, if that happens, and I understand that night matches are more popular with the crowd, and stuff like that, but then the final should be also night match, I think, because then I feel like it’s more fair towards both players.
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“Because when it’s a day match and you played night all week it’s so difficult.
“Especially, of course, against Jannik, it’s difficult always, no matter where it is, no matter how you’re playing, but with the back story, it was just impossible today.”
Alexander Zverev reacts to Jannik Sinner’s dominance on the tour
With Carlos Alcaraz’s withdrawal from the Italian Open, Sinner will once again be the overwhelming favourite in Rome.
Reacting to Sinner’s dominance, Zverev said: “To be honest, I think everybody’s struggling against him.
“He’s won the last five Masters events, so it’s not like I’m the only one losing to him. I’m just losing to him more because I get to him every single time, and I lose to him. So it’s like that.
“Yeah, I mean, today doesn’t make sense to talk much about strategy, it was absolutely a terrible match by me. I don’t think there’s much strategy involved.”
Zverev has still yet to win a Masters title since the Paris Masters in 2024.
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