Zverev completes his resurrection in Rome: "This title is special".

© AFP

Elio Valotto

le 20/05/2024 à 11h57

2 min to read

Jarry Roland Garros Rome Tabilo Zverev

Alexander Zverev won the title in Rome on Sunday. Almost three years after his last Masters 1000 title, he is back on the road to success in this category of tournament. The German authoritatively defeated Nicolas Jarry in the final (6-4, 7-5) to complete his return to the summit of world tennis.

With an ankle injury sustained in 2022, it's been a long road, but Zverev seems more than ever back to his best. A semi-finalist in Melbourne in January, his first few tournaments on ochre had been rather disappointing. This title, just one week before the French Open, is a timely boost.

Interviewed in the press conference, he made no secret of his delight: "After the injury at Roland in 2022, I wasn't so sure (that I was capable of winning major tournaments). This title is special because it proves to me that I can win this kind of tournament again. I'm where I want to be. Moving forward, I can dream again. That's what this week has given me."

In the final, the player now ranked 4th in the world was able to rely on a thundering serve, conceding just 5 points on his first serve: "I played well all week, from the first point in the first round to the final. I'm obviously very happy with the way things went.

I had a few problems in the semi-finals (against Tabilo, 1-6, 7-6, 6-2), but I managed to get through. Today, I put in an excellent performance. The way Jarry beat his opponents, the type of opponents he beat too, shows that he's absolutely on fire. I had to neutralize him."