“Eight hours” of Mario Kart: Zverev plays against the stress
The Nintendo Switch is glowing, because somehow Alexander Zverev has to switch off in dreary Paris. Girlfriend Sophia Thomalla is filming for a TV show in Thailand, walks along the Seine are not very relaxing in the constant rain, so the Olympic tennis champion is playing Mario Kart in his room in the posh five-star hotel Berriere Le Fouquet. “Eight hours a day,” as Zverev joked after his second-round victory.
“Keeping the tension is easy,” he explained. But it is more important to clear one’s head. After all, the French Open will last two weeks for him at best – Zverev is at least determined to reach the final the Sunday after next (June 9).
“If I’m stable and play well, I can beat anyone,” said the 27-year-old, who will face Dutchman Tallon Griekspoor in the third round. The two have played four matches against each other so far, with Zverev winning three times. But he only wants to focus on himself anyway, “I know that I can be one of the best players in the world on clay,” he said.
But Zverev also knows that the road is long. He knocked record winner Rafael Nadal (Spain) out of the tournament. But the usual suspects for the big titles have been in good form so far – despite previous question marks.
“I know that Sinner is in good shape, that Alcaraz is getting into shape, that Djokovic is very stable again,” said Zverev. Regarding his two confident performances against Nadal and Belgian David Goffin, he said: “I feel like I’m OK on the court – hopefully it stays that way.”
2024-05-31 16:57:00
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