WATCH: Alexander Zverev admits Laura Robson ‘makes him nervous’ in hilarious ATP Finals interview

Alexander Zverev secured a straight sets win against Andrey Zverev to get his ATP Finals campaign off to a flying start – but it was his post-match press conference that set his heart fluttering.

Zverev chalked up a sixth straight win with a rapid 6-4, 6-4 victory over Rublev, as he turned on the style after his group rival Carlos Alcaraz slumped to a shock defeat earlier on Monday.

Zverev, fresh from replacing Alcaraz as world No 2, triumphed in just 72 minutes and sent down nine aces a week on from his Paris Masters win.

It earned Zverev a Tour-leading 67th win of the season and ensured he made the perfect start to his pursuit of a third ATP Finals victory after success at the 2018 and 2021 editions.

Zverev looked relaxed and composed on court, but he was anything but that in a brilliant post-match interview with Sky Sports Tennis presenter Laura Robson.

Former British No 1 Robson has emerged as an accomplished broadcaster in recent years and she has a wonderful rapport with players when conducting post-match interviews.

Her interview with Zverev in Turin was a new highlight, with the banter clearly starting before the cameras went live as Robson started the interview by suggesting the world No 2 claimed he didn’t even sweat during his win.

Zverev was quick to reply in a feisty fashion as he said: “Let’s be clear… I gave you a handshake and complained about that as it was too formal. Then I try and give you two kisses and you say get away from me, you are too sweaty!”

Zverev looked a little like a schoolboy embarrassed to talk to a girl in the playground he had a crush on, with Robson’s fellow Sky Sports Tennis host Tim Henman accurately describing the interview as ‘brilliant’.

The interview then proceeded in a more conventional fashion until the final exchanges when Zverev admitted: “You make me nervous doing these interviews. I start mumbling and don’t know what to say any more. This is the most awkward interview I’ve had this year, for sure.”

 

Amid the delightfully uncomfortable mood between Zverev and Robson, the world No 2 offered some thoughts on his match against Rublev, as he suggested there was plenty of room for improvement.

“I’m looking forward to the next few matches and hopefully I can improve on a few more things because I don’t think this match was perfect, to be honest. I still think there’s a few more things that can be better.

“I missed a few balls from the baseline and I feel I wasn’t as sharp movement-wise as I would like to.

“Andrey is one of the most aggressive players on tour, so when you are not quite there and not quite sharp, the match can go the opposite way very quickly.

“I was happy with my game, but I can still improve on a few things. I feel like I missed too many balls from the baseline and I wasn’t as sharp movement wise, but I still beat a top 10 player 4 and 4, so that’s not too bad.”

Henman also gave his verdict on Zverev, as he suggested he laid down a marker as a potential winner in Turin.

“First class performance. You’re coming in against one of the top eight players in the world and he was so efficient,” said the former British No 1

“All aspects of Zverev’s game were firing on all cylinders. His first serve was absolutely massive, the consistency was there, and he soaked up Rublev’s biggest shots from the back of the court.

“He did drop back seven, eight feet behind the baseline and then it’s virtually impossible to hit through him because he moves well and he’s got such a huge wingspan.

“I thought Zverev was very impressive and it lays down an early marker.”