Alexander Zverev on US Open exit: 'I have to do better next year'

ATP Tour

Disappointed Zverev on US Open exit: 'I have to do better next year'

German reflects on loss to Auger-Aliassime

Corinne Dubreuil Alexander Zverev falls to Felix Auger-Aliassime in four sets Saturday at Flushing Meadows. By ATP Staff

Alexander Zverev revealed after falling to Felix Auger-Aliassime in the third round of the US Open Saturday evening that he has struggled with feel in New York for two consecutive visits to the season’s final major.

“It’s been like this last year here. Last year I think I said it after I lost here, I just have absolutely no feeling in any shots and this year has been the same,” Zverev said. “The conditions, it’s a hard court, so it doesn’t really change that much. The balls are very different, but it’s not really an excuse. I have to do better next year. I have to find something. The last two years I would say I didn’t play good tennis here.”

This is the first time Zverev has failed to reach the fourth round at Flushing Meadows since 2018. He made the quarter-finals last year, but lost in four sets to eventual finalist Taylor Fritz.

The two-time Nitto ATP Finals champion did not lose a set in his first two matches against Alejandro Tabilo and Jacob Fearnley, but was unhappy with his game throughout his run.

“I had absolutely no feeling of the ball whatsoever here, the first two matches either. When it’s like that, even today I tried to be aggressive a few times, but I’m just missing,” Zverev said. “So you’re trying to find ways to win the match differently, but it’s really difficult to do that when somebody’s playing well like [Felix], aggressive like him, and you’re just not feeling great.

“There is not really a shot that I felt great off from any side: forehand, backhand. My backhand was completely off this week. It is the way it is.”

Zverev’s two-handed backhand is one of the best on the ATP Tour. But without feeling his best, the German was unable to capitalise in the important moments against Auger-Aliassime. He held set point for a two-sets-to-none advantage, but was unable to convert.

“Unlucky second set. That changed the whole match,” Zverev said. “Credit to him, he played better than me all around. I didn’t play a good match, I didn’t play a good tournament generally speaking, I felt like. He’s playing good, so I think it’s the obvious outcome.”

The 28-year-old made his third major final this year at the Australian Open, but did not advance past the quarter-finals in the remaining three Slams. How would Zverev evaluate his major season?

“Disappointing, I would say.”

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