How Zverev “feeling it” could leave Humbert reeling in Paris | ATP Tour

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How Zverev “feeling it” could leave Humbert reeling in Paris

The German reflects on his triumph at the ATP Masters 1000

January 01, 0001

Did Alexander Zverev surprise himself with the quality of his championship match on Sunday at the Rolex Paris Masters?

Ugo Humbert had put in a series of classy performances that channeled the support of his fans towards the final of the ATP Masters 1000 in Paris-Bercy, including the match against Carlos Alcaraz in the third round. However, the Frenchman could do nothing to counter Zverev’s attack in the title match, and Zverev won 6-2, 6-2 in just 75 minutes.

“No, I didn’t have the feeling that it was going to be two against two, but actually from the beginning and from the rallies of the first games, even when I lost the rallies, I felt that the ball felt good on my racket,” Zverev reflected in his post-match press conference. “When I have this feeling, I feel good on the court. I feel comfortable and confident, maybe being a little more aggressive, going for more shots than I usually do”

“Against him, it was important. I think he’s one of the best players when he’s aggressive. I think it’s still a little difficult for him when he has to defend, so when I put him in a position where he has to defend, I think it’s a position in which I feel comfortable and he doesn’t. I felt very good from the back of the court, and I think that against him that was the key today.

The victory in Paris was the perfect confidence boost for Zverev heading into the Nitto ATP Finals. The 27-year-old will now head to Turin for the prestigious final event of the season, where he aims to become a three-time champion following his victories in 2018 in London and 2021 in Turin.

“I think for Turin, everyone is motivated,” said Zverev, when asked about his record at the Nitto ATP Finals. “It’s such a special tournament. It’s such a special atmosphere and feeling when you’re there and there are only eight players in the world.”

“You already feel special playing there, so I think everyone is motivated. Everyone wants to win this title and play good tennis… You’re fighting all year to make the cut, so I think once you You’re there, you’re going to give your best, and so is everyone else. At the end of the day, you’re only playing against the eight best players in the world, so there are no easy matches, and you have to play your best tennis from the first match. game”.

After lifting his seventh ATP Masters 1000 trophy, Zverev will return to a career-high No. 2 in the PIF ATP Rankings on Monday. Although reaching No. 1 for the first time is high on the German’s list of goals, he believes that he will only achieve it by fulfilling another ambition that he has been cherishing for some time and for which he will push again in 2025: becoming a major champion.

“I think now that everyone is playing and everyone is playing at full capacity and everyone is healthy, you have to win Grand Slams to become No. 1 in the world,” Zverev said. “Now I am No. 2 in the world, but I am 3,000 points behind Jannik, more or less. I think that without the Grand Slams and without the points from the Grand Slams, it is no longer possible.”