Alexander Zverev could not resist taking a cheeky swipe at his father and coach after securing his place in the French Open final on Friday, joking that the man who has guided his career for more than two decades still refuses to offer him much advice.
Zverev booked a second Roland Garros final appearance with a 7-5, 6-2, 3-6, 6-3 victory over rising Czech star Jakub Mensik on Court Philippe-Chatrier. The German was made to work harder than in most of his previous matches, with the 20-year-old taking a set off him and forcing him into a fourth set for only the second time in the tournament.
However, the world No. 3 held his nerve in the crucial moments to continue his impressive run in Paris and move within one victory of a maiden Grand Slam title.
With top contenders Novak Djokovic and Jannik Sinner already out of the tournament, Zverev has emerged as the clear favourite to lift the Coupe des Mousquetaires on Sunday. Yet the 29-year-old’s subdued celebrations after match point reflected a player aware that the job is far from finished.
The light-hearted moment came during his post-match interview with former French Open finalist Alex Corretja, who asked Zverev about the role his coaching team had played in helping him reach another major final.
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Zverev, whose father Alexander Zverev Sr. has coached him throughout his professional career, delivered a response that immediately drew laughter from the crowd.
“My coach hasn’t told me anything in 25 years. I wish he would tell me something sometimes,” Zverev said on TNT Sports.
Corretja then gave him an opportunity to soften the joke and say something complimentary about his father. Instead, Zverev doubled down.
“No, I lost so many matches in my life and he still hasn’t said anything. So it doesn’t change,” he added with a smile.
The exchange offered a glimpse into the unique relationship between Zverev and his father, who has been a constant presence throughout his career and remains one of the most influential figures in his tennis journey.
While the jokes grabbed attention, Zverev’s focus quickly returned to the task ahead. He will face an Italian opponent in Sunday’s final, with Matteo Arnaldi and Flavio Cobolli contesting the other semi-final.
The German admitted he would prefer to keep his mind clear heading into the championship match, although his comments suggested he would not mind receiving some tactical input from his father before the biggest match of his career.
Former world No. 1 Jim Courier was among those impressed by Zverev’s performance and, more importantly, by his measured reaction after reaching the final.
“His job’s not done and he was celebrating like it isn’t either. This is just another step towards the place he is ultimately desiring to end up, which is with his hands on the trophy,” Courier said on TNT Sports.
“He’s done exceptionally well in these six matches. Zverev takes out a couple of the youngsters – Rafael Jodar and Mensik. He’s the veteran in this tournament.
“He’s the No. 2 seed but he was never considered the favourite, but he will be now for the final now he’s there.”
A Grand Slam title has long been the missing piece in Zverev’s career despite multiple deep runs at major tournaments. He came agonisingly close at Roland Garros last year before falling short in the final and now has another opportunity to end that wait.
Victory on Sunday would be historic for both Zverev and German tennis. He would become the first German man to win a Grand Slam singles title since Michael Stich’s Wimbledon triumph in 1991 and would also rank among the oldest first-time men’s major champions of the Open Era.
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