Zverev, the Rome final that definitively marks his return to the limelight

The German is looking for his first Masters 1000 title since Cincinnati in 2021

May 18, 2024

All roads lead to Rome, and Alexander Zverev‘s quest to win back his title is no exception. On Friday evening, the German qualified for the final of the Rome Masters at the Foro Italico by beating Alejandro Tabilo in three sets (1-6, 7-6, 6-2).

It is the first time since the serious right ankle injury he suffered in the semi-finals of the French Open in 2022 against Rafael Nadal that Zverev has reached the final of a major event (Grand Slam or Masters 1000) on the ATP Tour. He’s favourite to beat Chilean Nicolas Jarry in Sunday’s final.

Since his return to competition in January 2023 after a six-month convalescence, the 27-year-old has been consistently placed but has always stumbled on the last step. He reached the semi-finals at Roland Garros and Cincinnati in 2023, then the last semis again this year at the Australian Open and Miami, without being rewarded with a final.

If Rome is the place for firsts for me, I’m happy about that.

Now he can do it in Rome, on a clay court where he won the first Masters 1000 of his career in 2017. Whether it is a sign of destiny or not, this same Roman clay court could offer him his first major title since he won in Cincinnati in 2021. In a city he adores, he would gladly accept it.

“I hope so,” he told a press conference. “If Rome is the place for firsts for me, then I’m happy about that. My first Masters 1000, as you said, as a 20-year-old, was here. If this is my first Masters 1000 after the injury, I’m happy about that, as well. Especially at a place that I really love. Even outside of tennis, it’s a city that I absolutely love and enjoy. If that’s the case, I would be more than happy about that.”

Qualifying for his 11th Masters 1000 final is a definitive sign of his return to the limelight. A victory just one week before the French Open would even allow him to make his mark by taking Daniil Medvedev’s place as the world’s fourth-ranked player, which could also help his draw at Roland-Garros.

ZVEREV BACK IN TOP 4 IF HE WINS

A return to the top four two years after injuring his right ankle at Roland Garros is a scenario that Zverev would grab with both hands. But first he must try to get the better of Jarry on Sunday, an opponent who has already beaten him twice in four meetings on clay.

“I think Nicolas is one of the most aggressive players we have on the tour,” he told reporters in Rome. “Obviously huge serve, huge forehand. Tries to hit big from both sides of the court. A very impressive win last night I think against (Stefanos) Tsitsipas. He was down throughout most of the match, always managed come back. Very impressive from him.”

Zverev leads the Chilean 4-2 and has two consecutive wins over him, in Halle and Beijing in 2023. The world No 5 is seeking a sixth Masters 1000 title, his first since Cincinnati in 2021. Moreover, victory in Rome would propel him onto the list of favourites for a French Open that has never been so wide open.