Alexander Zverev names his ‘most difficult’ opponent outside of Carlos Alcaraz and Jannik Sinner
Alexander Zverev has admitted he “hates” playing one ATP star who he has labelled his “most difficult” opponent outside of Jannik Sinner and Carlos Alcaraz.
The world No 2 is set to begin his campaign at the 2025 Italian Open, where he is the reigning champion having secured his second Rome title last year.
Zverev is chasing his second title of 2025 after his triumph at the ATP 500 event in Munich last month.
The German will face world No 60 Camilo Ugo Carabelli in his opening match at the Foro Italico. It will be his first meeting with the 25-year-old Argentine.
The 28-year-old was beaten 7-5, 6-3 by another Argentinian, Francisco Cerundolo, in the last 16 at the Madrid Masters last week.
Zverev now holds a 0-3 record against Cerundolo, and he has candidly recognised that the world No 18 has become his nemesis.
In his pre-tournament press conference in Rome, Zverev was asked if there was anything he took away from Madrid or learned about Cerundolo.
“Yeah, that I hate playing him, to be honest (smiling),” he said.
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“I mean, I think outside of the top guys, like Jannik and Carlos, he’s probably the most difficult for me to play.
“Haven’t really figured out how to play him. Haven’t really figured out a way to beat him, which shows on the record. But all in all, I thought my level of tennis was okay there.
“I thought I played three pretty good matches there. Also winning Munich the week before… I feel like my tennis is at the right spot right now.”
The three-time Grand Slam runner-up continued: “I know who’s comfortable and who’s uncomfortable for me.
“There’s top guys, top 10 in the world, I’m not going to mention names, but who are very comfortable for me, for example.
“Then there are guys who are not top 10, maybe outside, who are less comfortable. That’s how it goes. It’s why tennis is such an interesting sport.
“It’s all about matchups, it is all about how somebody fits your game style. That’s why the results are so unpredictable sometimes. But all in all, my main focus is for the next two weeks.”
