Alexander Zverev has noticed something about clay courts that affects most players ‘except Rafael Nadal’
Alexander Zverev, the World No. 2, has been adjusting to the unique challenges of playing on clay courts in 2025. After a shaky start to the clay season, including early exits at the Argentina and Rio Opens, as well as a first-round loss to Matteo Berrettini at the Monte-Carlo Masters, Zverev is now finding his rhythm.
With a title win in Munich under his belt, Zverev entered the Madrid Open in good form, defeating Roberto Bautista Agut in his opening match. He shared his insights into the conditions on clay and how they impact his game.
The Influence of Conditions on Clay
Zverev spoke candidly about the significant role that weather and altitude play in clay court performance. “Clay is the surface where the biggest differences happen,” he said after his victory over Bautista Agut.
He pointed out that variations in temperature, humidity, and even the altitude of each tournament make a major difference:
“It’s a huge contrast if it’s 30°C versus 10°C, and there’s a big difference if it’s dry or raining,” Zverev explained. “At higher altitudes, the ball flies faster and bounces higher. These differences really affect the way you play on clay.”
Zverev also noted that each clay court offers unique challenges, but one player seems to be immune to such variations: Rafael Nadal.
“Except for Rafa, who’s been dominant everywhere, conditions impact most players. It’s not the same for everyone,” Zverev added, referencing Nadal’s unparalleled clay-court dominance.
Zverev’s Clay-Court Preferences
Zverev explained that he tends to perform better on warmer surfaces. He reflected on his past success at certain Masters 1000 tournaments:
“I win more often when it’s hot, like in Madrid and Rome, both of which I’ve won twice,” he said. “In Munich, for example, I won last week because the weather was warm, but in previous years, it was cold and rainy, and I could barely win a match.”
He pointed out the importance of temperature and conditions, which many fans may not fully grasp:
“For non-tennis fans, it might be hard to understand, but the conditions make a massive difference.”
Conditions in Madrid vs. Monte-Carlo
Zverev explained that Madrid’s conditions, with its higher altitude and faster conditions, are more to his liking than those in Monte-Carlo:
“In Madrid, the ball bounces higher, and the altitude makes a huge difference. It feels almost like an indoor tournament, with the ball moving faster. That’s why I’ve had more success here than in Monaco, where I’ve never reached the final,” Zverev said.
Looking Ahead: Zverev Faces Alejandro Davidovich Fokina
Zverev now faces Alejandro Davidovich Fokina in the next round of the Madrid Open. The Spaniard will be the last remaining hope for the home crowd after Carlos Alcaraz withdrew due to injury.
Davidovich Fokina has only beaten Zverev once in their five encounters, and the Spaniard will be looking to extend his head-to-head advantage after a win at the Canadian Open in 2023. Zverev, however, won their most recent clash at the 2023 China Open.
Head-to-Head Record Between Zverev and Davidovich Fokina:
- 2023 China Open: Zverev won 6-7, 6-2, 6-1
- 2023 Canadian Open: Davidovich Fokina won 6-1, 6-2
- 2021 French Open: Zverev won 6-4, 6-1, 6-1
- 2020 Cologne: Zverev won 7-5, 7-6
- 2020 US Open: Zverev won 6-2, 6-2, 6-1
Looking Ahead to the Next Round
Zverev will be hoping to secure a place in the fourth round of the 2025 Madrid Open as he faces Davidovich Fokina on Sunday, April 27. It’s set to be an exciting contest as the German looks to claim his third Madrid Open title.
