Zverev and his bad memory with the Big3: "I wish I had faced them less in the final rounds"

Fernando Murciego | 6 May 2026 | 22.30

Alexander Zverev at the Media Day of the Rome Masters 2026. Source: TennisTV

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Alexander Zverev lands in the Rome Masters 1000 with the bitter taste of his last final in Madrid. Perhaps the eternal city is the place that will rescue the German to regain that point of confidence he needs to make the next leap.

And mind you, we are talking about a multiple Masters 1000 champion, a category of tournaments he has completely under control. However, this season he has not stopped stumbling all the time with the same obstacle. Semifinals in Indian Wells, semifinals in Miami, semifinals in Monte Carlo, and final in Madrid. In all four stops, he ended up bowing to the champion: Jannik Sinner. The good news is that he maintains a consistency that few athletes can achieve; the bad news is that he cannot find the formula to overcome that barrier that stops him every week.

In the Media Day in Rome, the question about the Italian was mandatory, although there was also time to talk about Alexander Zverev's personal history in this tournament. Champion in 2017, in his second participation, defeating Djokovic in the final. Runner-up the following season, losing to Nadal in the final. Champion again in 2024, losing only one set on his way to victory. Therefore, we are in a territory where the Hamburg native knows how to sharpen his weapons and inflict damage. However, at the moment, it is difficult to see him lifting the trophy considering the recent precedents.

Summary of his 2026 season

"Well, the season is going well, the results are there, although I keep losing all the time against the same man... Actually, we are all losing against that man. Right now, Jannik is two levels above the rest of the players on the professional circuit, playing fantastically, and credit is due to him. I still feel disappointed by the way I played in the Mutua Madrid Open final last Sunday; I believe I could have done better, posed a greater challenge, but it wasn't meant to be."

Good vibes with the Rome Masters

"I love this place, I love Italy in general, and particularly, I love the city of Rome. I always enjoy doing other activities here aside from competition, which then translates into my performance on the court; it always helps you compete a bit better. You always feel a bit better when playing after having enjoyed your leisure time outdoors; the results speak for themselves. I want to continue improving my game, playing better each time, so I hope to see that reflected in these weeks."

Alexander Zverev training at the Rome Masters. Source: Getty

Zverev analyzes his relationship with the Big3

"I was very lucky to be able to face the best players in the world since I arrived at this tournament, as well as different generations. I played against Roger, Rafa, and Novak at the time, but now I have the opportunity to face Carlos and Jannik. I was lucky in that sense... although in a way, I wish I had played less against them in the final rounds of the big events (laughs). But yes, it was a privilege every time I could face them; here in Rome, I lifted my first Masters 1000 against Novak in the final, something I will never forget."

This news is an automatic translation. You can read the original news, Zverev y su mal recuerdo con el Big3: “Desearía haberme enfrentado menos a ellos en las rondas finales”