Zverev: "I have room for improvement, but I needed a battle like this"

Alexander Zverev had to rely on his epic and authoritative qualities to survive a truly difficult first round of the US Open 2026. It was taken for granted that Lorenzo Sonego would make it very hard for him, but few could have predicted that the duel would last nearly 5 hours and end at 2:00 AM in the morning in New York. Far from lamenting it, the German offered very optimistic statements, giving credit to the Italian. 

Zverev acknowledges Sonego's merit

"I think he is an incredible player who has faced difficulties this year, and sometimes it's as simple as that. Today he played like he normally does, and he is an amazing tennis player. He has an incredible serve and an incredible forehand. He can return very quickly. I would say I have one of the fastest second serves on the tour, and he was attacking it the whole time. So he played incredibly well. I have to give him credit, but yes, I am happy that in the end, I managed to win."

Room for improvement and happy to win a tough match

"I think there is definitely room for improvement. I missed a few backhands more than I usually do. It's not something that happens very often. But it is definitely something I might be able to adjust a bit, and I hope to do better in the upcoming matches.

Overall, I think it was a great battle, very tough, and I consider it was a match I needed after the last few weeks," said the German, who arrives somewhat distrustful at the US Open 2026 due to his poor performance in the Masters 1000 in Canada and Cincinnati.

It is never pleasant to finish so late in a first-round match and feel so challenged, but Alexander Zverev can come out morally strengthened from this tremendous trial he passed against Lorenzo Sonego. The top seed of the US Open 2026 hopes to come out strengthened.

This is an automatic translation. You can read the original news, Zverev: "Tengo margen de mejora, pero necesitaba una batalla así"