Alexander Zverev just happy to be back competing against the best
Alexander Zverev commented on not taking things for granted after he notched another Masters quarter-final win in Miami.
Injury threatened to derail Zverev’s career in 2022 and 2023 but on Thursday he booked his place in the last four with a well-earned 6-3, 7-5 victory over Fabian Marozsan.
Marozsan had been out to secure a third top-ten win of the week but couldn’t get any sort of foothold in the match.
“I’m happy to be back in these late stages of these tournaments, playing the best players in the world, I think there are only those left,” Zverev said. “Looking forward to the challenge.”
Zverev feels that it is only a matter of time before Marozsan finds his way into the top 20.
He was impressed with the Hungarian’s ability to rush even the best players in the world.
Marozsan is 4-2 against top ten players and Zverev feels that it is quite easy to see why he challenges the best in the world.
“If he keeps playing like that, he’s going to rise up the rankings very quickly,” Zverev said.
“He always rushes [you]… I think when all top players feel like they are in control, they feel like they manage the match and play the match a little bit in their own favour and against him, it’s not possible. That’s why he has such a great Top 10 record. He’s an unbelievable player.”
Zverev has conceded that his injury woes have held up his career progress.
He feels there is no doubt that he would be further along were it not for the devastating blowout at Roland Garros in 2022.
“Obviously a lot, especially after the injury, I think it did hold me back in a way,” Zverev said of his time away from the sport.
“You know, I was kind of on top of my game before the injury happened, you know. I was at my best level so far in my career.
“I’m obviously extremely happy to be back where I am and winning these kind of matches, and, you know, giving myself the chance again. Because last year, for the first part of the season, or actually throughout the year, I wasn’t a slam contender. I wasn’t a contender to win tournaments like that.
“If I am now, I’m very happy about that.”
Zverev, a 21-time tour-level titlist, will be aiming for his sixth ATP Masters 1000 crown and first since 2021 Cincinnati but first has to defeat either Carlos Alcaraz or Grigor Dimitrov.
