Zverev’s stinging Alcaraz remarks spark tension before Madrid test

Carlos Alcaraz is seeking revenge as he will face Alexander Zverev in the last-16 of the Madrid Open. The German won their last meeting at the French Open 11 months ago, where he slammed the preferential treatment he thought the teenager had been given. Alcaraz is well aware that he trails his head-to-head with Zverev and is gunning to swing things in his favour.

Alcaraz and Zverev will contest a rematch of last year’s Madrid Open final on Tuesday as they meet in the round-of-16. The championship match was the Spaniard’s only win in four meetings, and he is relishing the chance to test himself against the world No 16.

Zverev won their previous meeting in last year’s French Open quarter-final and made some biting remarks ahead of the match, claiming that Alcaraz didn’t deserve the same treatment as Rafael Nadal and Novak Djokovic. “We [Carlos Alcaraz and me] have Novak and Rafael on our side of the tournament,” he told Eurosport Germany ahead of the match.

“And it is normal, if they are on your side of the tournament they get what they want, and that’s okay.” While the Olympic champion agreed that the multi-Grand Slam champions deserved top billing, he made a dig at Alcaraz getting to play on the main show court.

Just in
Kyrgios told French Open calls can ‘go to voicemail’ as return planned[LATEST]

“One of them won 20 Grand Slams, the other 21. And that is proper. That is totally fine for me,” he added – speaking before both men went on to draw level on 22 Major titles each. “But it is very interesting to see that Alcaraz gets what he wants.

“We all have played a couple of times on Court Suzanne Lenglen. Myself three times, Novak twice, even Rafa. But Alcaraz plays every match on Philippe Chatrier.” Zverev went on to win that match against Alcaraz 6-4 6-4 4-6 7-6(7).

The 19-time title winner also won their first two career meetings in Acapulco and Vienna, both in 2021. And Alcaraz is hoping to turn the tide again in Madrid as he has his losing record against Zverev in mind.

Don’t miss…
Holger Rune in rarely-seen umpire incident as crowd boos get to Dane[RECAP]
Ukrainian tennis star refuses to shake hands with Russian opponent[REACTION]
Dan Evans tears into British tennis stars as Raducanu struggles remain[QUOTES]

“I really want to play that match. We played a few times, head to head he is up,” he told the ATP. “I really want to show my great level here in front of my home crowd. I have great memories from last year in the final but obviously I have to be really focused in that match.

“I know that Sascha is a really good player, a really aggressive one with good serves. I have to show all my skills.” And Alcaraz will hope that a practice session with Zverev could work in his favour when they meet on the match court.

He added: “When we practised, it helped me a lot in the tactical game, what I had to do. Obviously I was focused on myself all the time, trying to hit the ball really clear and with a lot of power. That was the goal at the beginning of the match, trying to play aggressive all the time.”

Source: Read Full Article