At a personal meeting in Paris before the French Open showdown against Carlos Alcaraz, the former and current tennis stars exchange views. Becker sees good chances for Zverev’s title dream.
During his short visit to the French Open, Boris Becker encouraged Alexander Zverev ahead of his final showdown against Spaniard Carlos Alcaraz.
“The first thing I said was: Whatever you do, keep doing exactly what you’re doing,” said the six-time Grand Slam tournament winner on Eurosport: “The key is to be brave, to show your opponent and the whole world: I’m coming here to win – and not just to play.”
Becker sensed this attitude in Zverev (27), who wants to win his first Grand Slam title in the afternoon (2.30 p.m./Eurosport) in a duel with Alcaraz (21). “He seemed very calm, very focused. He still wants to play a match here,” said Becker: “You could already celebrate, for him it is the greatest success in Roland Garros – but no luck! He was totally focused.” That is also why he has “a good feeling” for the final, added the 56-year-old.
However, Becker will not watch the final live on site at Court Philippe Chatrier, but will fly back to Germany in the morning, where he will be doing his job as a commentator for the TV channel Eurosport.
Zverev can be the first German player in the professional era to win the title at a Grand Slam tournament on clay. Michael Stich was defeated in the 1996 final by Russian Yevgeny Kafelnikov. Alcaraz has won his two previous Grand Slam finals, in 2022 at the US Open and in 2023 at Wimbledon.
Source: Stern
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