Toni Nadal, in a file photo / Alonso Cupul
Iker Kind
The final of the Mutua Madrid Open left much to be desired. Alexander Zverev put in a terrible performance against Jannik Sinner, failing to even challenge him for an hour. The match ended in 57 minutes, and the Italian set an unprecedented record in tennis history: winning five consecutive Masters 1000 titles. Toni Nadal tried to explain why there was such a gap in level.
“It was a final that ended in less than an hour between the world number one and number three… That’s totally abnormal. I think Zverev was already defeated when he stepped onto the court. In his last match against Sinner, he also showed that he was quite superior at this moment. When you lack confidence, it’s very difficult to face such a solid player as the Italian,” he commented.
Italian Jannik Sinner poses with the trophy after his victory over German Alexander Zverev in the Mutua Madrid Open tennis final / Europa Press
Controversy continued after the final, as Zverev made some striking statements. “Right now, there’s a big gap between Sinner and everyone else. It’s quite clear. There’s a big gap between Sinner and the rest, and I also think there’s another gap between Alcaraz, myself, maybe Novak, and everyone else,” Zverev said. In other words, he placed himself on the same level as Carlos Alcaraz, winner of three of the last four Grand Slams. Toni Nadal also responded to these words. “Even if Zverev thinks… he’s free to think whatever he wants. But I don’t believe Alcaraz is below Sinner. I think today he’s slightly superior, but I believe the match is not in Sinner’s hands when they play against each other.”
Jannik Sinner and Carlos Alcaraz are on another level / SPORT
Furthermore, he revealed a conversation he had with the player himself. “I remember last year, in the summer, when I was training him for a week… I asked him: ‘Who do you prefer to play against, Sinner or Alcaraz?’ And he said: ‘There’s no comparison, I’d much rather play against Alcaraz.’ For him, Sinner was already an almost unreachable player at that time,” he stated.
**Comparison with the Big Three**
The reality is that Zverev has lost all confidence in his game against Sinner. He has lost the last eight matches against him and doesn’t seem willing to change any aspect of his game when facing the world number one. He always proposes the same match and, as a result, always loses. As Toni Nadal says, it’s as if he is defeated before stepping onto the court.
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Finally, he drew a parallel with the Big Three era. “Federer might have preferred to play against Djokovic rather than Rafael. But that doesn’t mean Rafael was better than Djokovic. It’s his perception. What is certain is that Alcaraz won the first Grand Slam of the year, and if he hadn’t been injured, I think he would have clearly faced Sinner.”
