Zverev relieved: "I'm really happy to have made it".

Four years after his huge disappointment in the US Open final (beaten by Dominic Thiem, 2-6, 4-6, 6-4, 6-3, 7-6), Alexander Zverev is about to experience a Major final once again. After failing to reach the semi-finals of the French Open three times in a row, he has now reached the final. Defeating a Casper Ruud weakened by a virus (2-6, 6-2, 6-4, 6-2 in 2h37), the German will face Alcaraz this Sunday.

Interviewed after his victory, the 27-year-old champion made no secret of his delight. After so many years of hard work, he's back in a Grand Slam final: "I can't describe the emotions I'm feeling, honestly. I'm really happy to have made it, especially on this court where so many stories have unfolded.

I've had my best and worst memories on this court and finally, I'm going to reach the final after my fourth semi-final here. So I'm really happy to be back on Sunday."

Asked about his opponent, the German described his evening victim in glowing terms: "I have to be (better than a few years ago). I had to be today, because you saw how the first set went. Casper really is the player who can bide his time and stop you playing your game.

Last year, I lost to him by a wide margin and I lost the first set by a wide margin too, so I knew I had to be a lot more aggressive. I really had to take him by the throat all the time and I managed to do that today. I'm really happy to be in the final.

Zverev also commented on his opponent's physical state, visibly weakened by a gastric illness. Very honest, he explained that he had of course noticed it: "Yes, I saw that something was happening to him. I think the first two sets were at a really incredible level. On his part and on my part too. But, at the end of the second set, I saw that he was starting to move much more slowly and I realized that he wasn't feeling well, but that he was still making some very fine shots.

And, judging by his movements, if I'd started to be more passive, that would have won him the match. You really have to congratulate him, because he played right to the end and fought hard right to the end. Yes, he's a great champion and great guy, and I know he'll be back here."

Before leaving the court, the 1.98m (6'6") player also returned to a rather bad memory, his first major final. As an experienced player, he explained: "Well yes, I was leading two sets to nil, I was two points away from winning the match and then that was it. As I've said before, and I'll say it again now, I wasn't ready at that point to win my first Grand Slam. Domi (Thiem) was, not me. I wasn't ready. I wasn't mature enough for it.

Maybe I was just too much of a kid and didn't quite understand the significance of this once-in-a-lifetime opportunity. That's why I lost. Now I'm 27, I'm not a kid anymore and I'm getting older. If not now, when? When is it?"