3 days ago
Alexander Zverev Shuts Down Idea That Novak Djokovic Is A ‘Dark Horse' At Roland Garros
MELBOURNE, AUSTRALIA - JANUARY 24: Novak Djokovic of Serbia is embraced by Alexander Zverev of ... More Germany after retiring from the Men's Singles Semifinal during day 13 of the 2025 Australian Open at Melbourne Park on January 24, 2025 in Melbourne, Australia. (Photo by)
Ahead of their French Open quarterfinal on Wednesday, Alexander Zverev isn't buying the idea that Novak Djokovic is a 'dark horse' to win a record 25th major title.
'I mean, the guy [has] won 24 Grand Slams,' Zverev told reporters. "He's never going to be a dark horse.
"He definitely knows what it means to be on the big stage and to play big matches. There is no doubt about that.
"For me, Carlos [Alcaraz] is the favorite. I have said that before. Then I would say the next three in line are Jannik [Sinner], myself and Novak, right?
'I still believe that. Novak is up there with us, no question about that at all.'
Djokovic, 38, holds an 8-5 career advantage on Zverev. They are 1-1 on clay with Djokovic winning their most recent encounter in a 2019 Roland Garros quarterfinal.
Zverev won their most recent match overall in the Australian Open semifinals when the Serb retired with a hamstring tear.
When the crowd booed Djokovic, Zverev took the microphone and said:
'The very first thing I want to say is, please guys, don't boo a player when he goes out with injury. I know that everybody paid for tickets and everybody wants to see a great five-set match and everything, but you gotta understand, Novak Djokovic is somebody that has given this sport for the past 20 years absolutely everything of his life and he has won this tournament with an abdominal tear, he has won this tournament with a hamstring tear.
'If he cannot continue a tennis match, it really means that he cannot continue a tennis match so please be respectful and really show some love for Novak as well.'
Djokovic faces a brutal draw even if he takes out Zverev.
The Serb could potentially still have to beat world No. 1 Sinner in the semis and defending champion and No. 2 seed Alcaraz in the final.
