LONDON : Alexander Zverev revealed he had nothing going through his mind as he served for the U.S. Open title earlier this month, prompting rival Carlos Alcaraz to question his unusual reaction at the decisive moment.
Zverev claimed his first title at Flushing Meadows with a four-set victory over American Ben Shelton, but after Shelton sent a forehand long on championship point, the German returned to the baseline as if preparing for another game.
“I thought it was 4-1,” Zverev said after Alcaraz asked him about the moment as the two Team Europe teammates prepared for the Laver Cup on Tuesday.
“If it were 5-2, I’d have been so nervous, for sure.
“There was completely nothing in my head. This is what helps, you know? When you’re stupid, it helps,” Zverev added with a laugh.
Alcaraz, who was beaten in the U.S. Open quarter-finals, said he could not understand Zverev’s reaction while watching the match.
“I was watching at home and I was like, ‘what the heck?'” the Spaniard said.
Team Europe, captained by Yannick Noah, will seek to reclaim the Laver Cup after losing last year’s event to Team World in San Francisco.
The three-day competition begins in London on Friday, with Casper Ruud, Flavio Cobolli, Jakub Mensik and Rafael Jodar also representing Europe.
Team World, captained by Andre Agassi, includes Taylor Fritz, Learner Tien, Brandon Nakashima, Alex de Minaur, Alexander Bublik and Francisco Cerundolo.
