Alexander Zverev says there was one thing he found ‘weird’ during his French Open final against Carlos Alcaraz

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Alexander Zverev reacted to his agonising defeat to Carlos Alcaraz in the French Open final.

At the fourth time of asking, the German reached the clay court major’s championship match, but after a valiant effort, his wait for a first major goes on courtesy of the explosive Spaniard.

He squandered a two sets to one lead as the 21-year-old took the title and became the first man in the open era to win his first three Grand Slam titles on three different surfaces.

Sunday’s final marked Zverev’s first at a Grand Slam since the 2020 US Open but his defeat means Alcaraz has won more majors than every player born in the 1990s combined.

Alexander Zverev assess his French Open final defeat

Zverev started the match by losing the first set 6-3, but grew in confidence and levelled the match after taking set two 6-2.

He rallied from 5-3 down in set three to take the lead in the match, but when Alcaraz raised his level, the 27-year-old had no answer. The fourth seed won just three more games and lost the match 6-3 2-6 5-7 6-1 6-2 in four hours and 19 minutes.

Explaining what contributed to his defeat, Zverev told reporters: “I lost focus. It was on my serve, I didn’t get the power from my legs any more. It was weird because normally I don’t get tired.

“I don’t cramp or get tired, but against Carlos it’s a different intensity, so maybe that was the case a bit. But maybe I have to look at my preparation and how I do things on a physical base as well.

“I felt like from a tennis level I was playing decent and he was playing decent for three sets but then I dropped a lot.”

What did Carlos Alcaraz say about Alexander Zverev after their French Open final?

Zverev and Alcaraz embraced one another at the conclusion of their intense battle for the French Open title.

The three-time Grand Slam champion won the tenth meeting between the pair and split their rivalry at five wins apiece. During the post match presentation Alcaraz took the time to share some kind words about his opponent.

“First of all, I want to congratulate Sascha for a great tournament. Unbelievable the level you are playing and the work you are putting in every day,” he said.

“After everything you have been through the last years on this court, I’m pretty sure you will win Slams and this tournament very, very soon so keep going and congratulations.”