French Open 2020: Zverev and Thiem agree - New York beats Paris
Dominic Thiem and Alexander Zverev are in the second round of the French Open 2020. And still squint a little back to the US Open.
by Jens Huiber
last edit: Sep 28, 2020, 11:12 pm
There was almost a sense of wanderlust in Alexander Zverev's press conference after his opening success at the 2020 French Open against Dennis Novak . “The facility in New York, as it was made for us players, was amazing. Here everything is exactly as it is in a normal tournament. Which is not bad. But New York has put so much into it that the players really like it. "
Oh, New York. What kind of moody images were those, under the given circumstances, that went around the world every day of the players who watched their colleagues at work from the suites assigned to them. And that with summer temperatures, which one would at least partially wish for the current days in Paris. Zverev spent great days in the New York bubble, with the small caveat that it just wasn't enough to win the tournament. It went to buddy Dominic Thiem, deservedly, as Zverev liked to deposit again in the English part of the PK.
Thiem - "The hotel is not that great"
Thiem, in turn, adopted a similar tone after his win against Marin Cilic. “It's completely different. In New York they were 100 percent focused on the tournament. Here in Paris you drive through the city, which is actually completely normal. there are many people on the street, many people in restaurants. But you still can't get out yourself. And it's true: in New York they have already done a lot for the players. Sascha also told me that there were great activities in his hotel. It's different here. The hotel isn't quite as cool as in New York. But it's okay. "
thiemkaelte
Speaking of accommodation: "The hotel is full here with other guests," said Zverev. “It's not a real bubble. We are not allowed out of the hotel. But other people are allowed into the hotel, which I find a bit strange. ”Jan-Lennard Struff and Angelique Kerber also confirmed these impressions after their first matches. Struff said that although he had a balcony, it was too cold there to really use it. And in the hotel he tries to avoid contact with other people as much as possible.
Zverev satisfied with the balls
In terms of playing conditions, both top players were not dissatisfied after their first appearances. Against Marin Cilic, Thiem could count on the Croatian not being able to generate as much pressure as usual with his serve. Due to the temperatures and the balls. In contrast to Thiem and Rafael Nadal, Alexander Zverev had already found it good before the tournament began.
“For me personally, the Babolat were the worst balls ever. Every other ball is a step in the right direction for me. Because the Babolat balls were out of control for me. The way I played. It's different for everyone. I think Dunlop sand balls are the best there are. Some players find it too difficult again. It fits differently for everyone. "
Here is the single tableau at the French Open 2020
rg2020