Muller Rues Errors After Australian Open Loss to Zverev: 'I Wish I Had Played a Bit Better'
Alexandre Muller fell to Alexander Zverev. Facing the world No. 3 and last year's Australian Open finalist, the Frenchman won the second set, but over the duration, the German was stronger (6-3, 4-6, 6-3, 6-4 in 3 hours of play). The 40 unforced errors from the world No. 52 didn't help, and he expressed his regrets in the press conference after his elimination.
"Sometimes it takes me a little time to get going. I managed to bring a bit more intensity in the second set, and above all, put the ball in play a bit more than two or three times.
"He's the Closest to Sinner and Alcaraz, He'll Have to Bridge That Gap"
But it's true that I had a good spell afterward, where I managed to be a bit more aggressive. I would have liked to play a bit better, I made quite a few errors. It's a shame, there might have been a small opportunity. But I wasn't able to make the difference today (Wednesday).
He served rather well, played well from the baseline. But what makes the difference is at the service level, it's so important... That's how those players often get out of trouble.
He's still a bit below compared to Sinner and Alcaraz, because he can have spells where he falters, whereas with them, those spells are still quite short... He's perhaps the one who is closest to them today, but he'll have to bridge that gap," Muller told L'Équipe.
Why Modern Tennis Feels More Predictable: 20 Years of Slower Courts, Heavier Balls, and Optimized Athletes
Australian Open's Epic Rise: From Shunned Slam to Tennis Powerhouse
PTPA's Fight to Reform Tennis: Djokovic's Shock Exit Amid Lawsuits Against ATP, WTA
Tennis Fans' Favorites Exposed: Record Crowds at Australian Open, Top Surfaces, and Players Who Captivate