"That's unfortunately who I am," Zverev's bitter reflection after his win against Tien

Alexander Zverev didn’t falter in his opening match at Roland-Garros. The German world No. 3 defeated Learner Tien (6-3, 6-3, 6-4) and advanced to the second round. Zverev has high stakes in this tournament, having reached the final at Porte d’Auteuil last year.

Defeated by the same American earlier in the season in Acapulco, the German left no room for hope this time against his young opponent. In the press conference, the three-time Grand Slam finalist reflected on his recent inconsistency.

"Last year, I hadn’t won anything before Rome. I lost in the third round in Monte-Carlo, the same in Munich and Madrid—I barely did better. And then, I won in Rome. That’s unfortunately who I am. I have ups and downs.

I’m not Novak Djokovic, and I’m not Rafael Nadal either. I’m not going to win every tournament or at least reach the final every time. When I’m at my best, it’s very high. I’ve come to realize that.

But when I’m at my worst, it’s much worse than other players and even some of the best in the world. I’ve accepted that this is how it’s going to be. My tennis is like that.

I just hope my highs will be higher than anyone else’s over the next two weeks," said Zverev, who will face De Jong for a spot in the third round, speaking to *The Tennis Letter*.