"I'm Not Far From the Top Players' Level," Says Cobolli After Defeat to Zverev at Roland Garros

Flavio Cobolli won't make it to the second week of Roland Garros. After victories against Marin Cilic and Matteo Arnaldi, the 23-year-old Italian fell to Alexander Zverev (6-2, 7-6, 6-1) in the third round.

The German ended Cobolli's streak of seven consecutive wins, which included his recent title in Hamburg last week against Andrey Rublev. However, the world No. 26 wants to stay positive after his run in Paris and believes he can compete with the best players in the world.

"The overall result is very positive. I feel like I can compete with anyone on any surface. In a Grand Slam, it's different—matches are longer, and the top players have the experience to manage their efforts.

"Also, in these conditions, they are more experienced than me, and that’s an important factor. But in rallies, I don’t feel inferior. I’m not far from the level of the best.

"Zverev is a player I respect a lot. He had kind words for me after the match. He hugged me like a big brother and told me to keep going, that I deserved what I’ve achieved these past weeks (titles in Bucharest and Hamburg).

"He wished me good luck for the future. It’s nice to hear such things from one of the best tennis players in the world," Cobolli told Tennis World Italia after the match.