Svajda: "I Played on Clay for the First Time 2 Years Ago, I Never Imagined This"

Diego Jiménez Rubio | 30 May 2026 | 16.54

Zachary Svajda, revolution at Roland Garros 2026. Photo: gettyimages

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Zachary Svajda is making one of the big surprises at Roland Garros 2026. The young American player reached the round of 16 after a spectacular five-set victory over Francisco Cerúndolo, one of the names that many pointed out as a contender to go far following Jannik Sinner's withdrawal.

The most remarkable thing is that Zachary Svajda has very little experience on clay courts. The American admitted that before this season, he had played very few matches on this surface and never imagined finding himself in the second week of Roland Garros so soon. Additionally, he talked about the physical problems he faced during the match, the emotional tribute to his father, and the unexpected success of one of his TikTok posts.

Meet Zachary Svajda, the most unexpected revelation of Roland Garros

The most significant victory of his career

"It feels incredible. I still haven't fully grasped it. I suppose tonight I will truly realize what has happened, but the atmosphere was spectacular, and I played some very good tennis."

"It was a very tough match against an opponent with a lot of experience on this surface. I am very proud of how I competed and of finding a way to win after everything that happened during the match."

Surviving a five-set battle

"Taking the first two sets was fantastic, but then I started to feel tired. My legs began to cramp a bit, and I tried not to show it too much."

"I tried to shorten some points because I felt the cramps coming. At the same time, he raised his level significantly and started to play really well. When I lost the third and fourth set, I kept repeating to myself to keep believing, to keep trusting because you never know what can happen in a match."

"The crowd helped me a lot. There was an incredible atmosphere throughout the match, and fortunately, the match ended up going my way."

Coping with cramps and extreme heat in Paris

"It's very hard to hide cramps because, for example, I couldn't serve with the same power as before. I began to notice the signs during the third set."

"I had pickle juice and other things that usually help me in those situations, but I tried not to show too much of what was happening. When I lost the third set, I went to the bathroom to refresh a bit, splash cold water on my face, and regain my composure."

"It was very hot. The conditions have been brutal all week. Luckily, the cramps eventually disappeared between the fourth and fifth set. It's not a pleasant situation, but I managed to overcome it."

The impact of Jannik Sinner's elimination

"When I saw Sinner was out of the tournament, I tried to stay focused on my own game. I knew the draw had opened up, but I tried to stick to the same routines and preparations as always."

"Obviously, in the locker room, everyone talks about the results, and you hear comments constantly. Everyone discusses the surprises that happen in the tournament, but I try to remind myself that all the players here have a high level. If I play well, I feel like I can compete with anyone."

An unexpected surprise even to himself

"Honestly, I am very surprised. I still find it hard to believe. It's crazy, and I'm still trying to process everything that's happening. I always thought I would end up playing well on clay one day, but I imagined that would come in a few years. I never thought it would happen right now. I feel very grateful and am trying to enjoy every moment."

A practically unknown surface

"The first time I played on red clay was about two years ago when I was 21. I had played some green clay in the United States, but not too much. I had probably played between ten and fifteen matches on clay in my entire career before this season. It's still a fairly new surface for me. I think I'm sliding better each time. I'm not perfect yet, far from it, but with each match, I feel more comfortable."

The most special memory: his father

"Today was my father's birthday, and that makes everything even more special. I know he's watching me from above. When I won the final point, the emotions were incredible. I'm still trying to process it all because it's very recent. I remember falling to the ground and thinking, 'What's happening?'"

"During the match, I was also thinking a lot about him. I was nervous because I wanted to do well and I wanted to win. I know he would be proud of me, and that made everything even more emotional."

The messages he received in the locker room

"Many people came to congratulate me. Frances Tiafoe came to give me a huge hug and was very happy for me. It was very funny because he kept saying, 'What's going on? This is clay court.' And I replied, 'I have no idea what's going on.' It was a very amusing moment. Frances is a great guy."

His unexpected success on TikTok

"I love TikTok. It entertains me a lot because I don't feel any pressure. I can post whatever I want. When I reached the third round, I saw a photo I had with a huge croissant and a beret and thought it would be fun to share. I posted the message saying I couldn't believe I was in the third round, and now it has gone viral. It's very funny. I love seeing all the engagement it's generating."

The next challenge: Flavio Cobolli

"We know each other quite well. We have trained together several times and played a very close match in Delray Beach a few years ago. I am very excited for this match. It will be a great battle and a great opportunity to continue enjoying this experience."

The breakthrough of Zachary Svajda is one of the most unexpected stories of Roland Garros 2026. With just a dozen matches on clay courts before this season, the American has defied predictions, survived a physical battle against cramps, and is now in the second week of the Parisian tournament, a scenario he never imagined reaching so soon.

This news is an automatic translation. You can read the original news, Svajda: "Jugué hace 2 años por primera vez en tierra batida, jamás imaginé esto"

Zachary Svajda