Alexander Zverev has already experienced the incredible performances of both tennis stars in the second half of the 2023 season’s hard-court season.
After losing in straight sets to Djokovic in Cincinnati last month, the German tennis player again lost in three straight sets to Alcaraz, so his journey at the 2023 US Open season ended in the quarterfinals.
The German was unable to identify a clear leader in terms of level of play in the rivalry between Djokovic and Alcaraz, but there is no doubt that the other men have some work to do in catching up to the two tennis stars.
“I fought Novak in Cincinnati, I fought Carlos here. I think they are very similar in terms of level of play,” said Zverev.
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“There are things Novak did better, there were things Carlos did better. I think they are at their respective levels at the moment. Other players have to catch up. As simple as that.”
Alcaraz’s world-class game continued to be on display in New York in his bid to defend his US Open title, but the 12th seed’s challenge against the Spaniard was hampered from the second set to the end due to a problem with his left glute muscle.
“I was quite hot in the first set. I could have broken him, the match could have gone my way, but no,” added Zverev. “Then in the second set, I felt something in my glutes, the left side. I couldn’t push my serve any more. My serving speed decreased a bit compared to other days. When I play against him, I have to have a good serve day, otherwise it will be difficult.”
“I think my biggest weapon was kind of taken away after the first set and it makes it hard to even compete if you don’t have it.”
The Tokyo Olympic champion stated that the physical problems he experienced were not related to the victory he fought for 4 hours 41 minutes against Jannik Sinner in the previous round.
“I think we were both pretty drained physically after that game,” said Alexander Zverev, who left New York with a record of 42-21, regarding the meeting against Sinner.
“I think I recovered pretty well. Just looking at the facts, I think we finished it at 1.30 in the morning. We played for 4 hours 40 minutes. I think I’m recovering pretty well. But this time my condition was not strong enough to compete.”
