"The atmosphere here is much stronger than at Roland-Garros": When Zverev discussed the Paris-Bercy atmosphere in 2024

After his tight match against Arthur Fils last year, Alexander Zverev had highlighted the difficulty of playing against French players in Paris. This year, 17,500 spectators expected on the center court in Nanterre promise even more pressure.

Last year, Alexander Zverev had a perfect week in Paris, clinching the seventh Masters 1000 title of his career.

Before defeating Ugo Humbert in the final, the world No. 3 had to escape the clutches of Arthur Fils in the round of 16. An electric match that the German won in three sets (6-4, 3-6, 6-3).

Interviewed on court after the match, Zverev admitted that the Bercy crowd had made his task difficult:

"The atmosphere here is much stronger than at Roland-Garros. Many players struggle when playing against French players."

This year, the atmosphere could be a notch more difficult to handle as no fewer than 17,500 French spectators will be present on the center court of Paris La Défense Arena.