Novak Djokovic’s Candid Take on Alexander Zverev Ahead of French Open 2025 Quarter-Final Clash
Novak Djokovic, the 24-time Grand Slam champion, delivered brutally honest remarks about Alexander Zverev before their blockbuster French Open 2025 quarter-final on June 4 at Court Philippe-Chatrier. In a pre-match press conference, Djokovic praised Zverev’s resilience and clay-court prowess but didn’t shy away from highlighting the pressure on the German to finally secure a maiden Grand Slam title. “Sascha [Zverev] is one of the best players in the world, no question. He’s been in finals, semis, consistently at Roland Garros, but he knows as well as I do that he’s got to step up in these moments,” Djokovic said, per Tennis365. “I’ve been there, and I know what it takes to cross that line. It’s going to be a battle, but I’m ready for it.”[](https://www.tennis365.com/tennis-news/alexander-zverev-novak-djokovic-french-open-2025-favourite-dark-horse)
The Serbian, chasing a record-extending 25th Grand Slam, acknowledged their rivalry’s intensity, noting their 8-5 head-to-head in his favor, including a 7-5, 6-2, 6-2 rout at the 2019 French Open quarter-finals. However, he admitted Zverev’s 2025 form, including a win over Djokovic in the Australian Open semi-finals (due to Djokovic’s retirement), makes him a formidable foe. “He’s playing great tennis, probably his best clay season yet. That Australian Open match doesn’t count fully—he was sharp, but I couldn’t finish. This time, no excuses,” Djokovic quipped, per ATP Tour.[](https://www.atptour.com/en/news/zverev-djokovic-sinner-bublik-roland-garros-2025-qf-preview)
Djokovic also addressed Zverev’s mental fortitude, subtly referencing his collapses in big moments, like the 2024 French Open final where Zverev led Carlos Alcaraz by two sets but lost. “He’s got the game, the serve, the power. But Grand Slams are different—it’s about holding your nerve,” he said, drawing on his own experience of overcoming high-stakes pressure. Posts on X echoed this sentiment, with @P4PAnalysis noting Djokovic’s mental edge: “Novak is the more complete, mentally tough player. Zverev has to play physical and forget the score.”
Zverev, in response, was equally candid, rejecting the idea of Djokovic as a “dark horse” despite his No. 6 seeding. “Novak’s never an underdog. He’s won 24 Slams. He knows how to play these matches,” Zverev told reporters, per Tennis365, while naming Alcaraz as the tournament favorite but placing himself and Djokovic in the top tier. The stage is set for an epic clash, with Djokovic’s experience pitted against Zverev’s hunger.
