French Open: Alexander Zverev on ‘frustrating’ call against Carlos Alcaraz - ‘You wish there wouldn’t be mistakes’
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Published 09/06/2024 at 21:32 GMT
Alexander Zverev was left perplexed during his French Open final against Carlos Alcaraz on Sunday, when umpire Renaud Lichtenstein made a controversial call which might have cost the German his first Grand Slam title. Zverev was on the brink of breaking Alcaraz in the final set and felt the Spaniard's second serve on break point was out. “It’s frustrating. You wish there wouldn't be mistakes."
'Players never win these arguments' - Zverev in disbelief after ball called out on pivotal point
Alexander Zverev has had his say on what he has described as a “frustrating” error during his French Open final defeat to Carlos Alcaraz.
Alcaraz, 21, claimed his third Grand Slam title on a third different surface following a 6-3 2-6 5-7 6-1 6-2 victory over the German in Paris on Sunday.
Zverev felt umpire Renaud Lichtenstein made a mistake in the final set, with Alcaraz serving at break-point down.
Had the Spaniard’s second serve been called out by Lichtenstein, it would have seen Zverev level the set at 2-2. Instead, the serve was called in and Alcaraz went on to hold before powering to victory.
“I mean, look, there's a difference whether you're down 3-1 in the fifth set or you're back to two-all,” Zverev said in his post-match press conference. “That's a deciding difference.
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French Open highlights - Alcaraz wins first Roland-Garros title after Zverev epic
“It’s frustrating in the end, but it is what it is. Umpires make mistakes. They're also human, and that's okay.
“But of course in a situation like that, you wish there wouldn't be mistakes.”
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Alexander Zverev
Image credit: Getty Images
As it was, Alcaraz reeled off the next three games without reply to clinch his third major championship, and his first at Roland-Garros.
Zverev: Alcaraz ‘is a beast, an animal’
Victory for Alcaraz meant he became the youngest player to win a Grand Slam on grass, hard and clay courts.
The Wimbledon champion, who won the US Open in 2022, battled through the gritty five-set match with Zverev after falling 2-1 behind earlier in the contest.
Alcaraz denied the German a maiden major title, while he kept his 100% record in finals intact.
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Zverev calls Alcaraz 'Hall of Famer' as he reacts to final defeat
Despite the disappointing outcome on the day Zverev, in his second championship final, was full of praise for Alcaraz and hoped to reach “the same level” as his Spanish counterpart.
“We're both physically strong, but he’s a beast. He’s an animal, for sure,” Zverev admitted.
“The intensity he plays tennis at is different to other people. He can do so many different things, right?
“I think he changed his tactic a lot in the fifth set, started to play a lot higher, a lot deeper for me to not create as much power. Especially with the shadows on the court, it was slower again.
“But he's a fantastic player, and physically he's fantastic. I have to look at myself and I have to look at the team that I have and see what I can do to become at the same level.”
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