Seven years have passed since Alexander Zverev first triumphed at the Internazionali BNL d’Italia. On Sunday, the German once again held the trophy aloft on the Rome clay after defeating Nicolas Jarry 6-4, 7-5 to clinch his sixth ATP Masters 1000 crown.
“[It is] very different because obviously the first one is extremely special always,” said Zverev, when asked how he would compare his two Rome triumphs. “But in a way, when I was young, I was extremely confident. I was thinking, ‘Okay, it’s going to come at some point’. After the injury, I was not sure whether it was going to come or not.
It was a poignant moment for the 27-year-old Zverev, who has worked his way back to the top of the game after suffering a serious ankle injury at Roland Garros in 2022.
“This one is special in its own way because it proves to me that I can win these kinds of tournaments again. I’m at the level where I want to be. Moving forward, I can dream again. This is what this week brings me.”
With his Rome success, Zverev has risen above Daniil Medvedev to No. 4 in the PIF ATP Rankings, his highest position since August 2022. The German will now head to Roland Garros full of confidence as he chases his first major title.
“I know I have to focus on myself, to find my rhythm in Paris the way I did here,” said Zverev, who is also up to second in the PIF ATP Live Race To Turin. “Then everything is on my own racquet.”
ATP Tour contributed to this recap
