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via Reuters

via Reuters

Alexander Zverev is a fan favorite who is not going through a great season. Besides the Dubai Tennis Championship, Zverev is yet to see the final stages of any prominent tournaments in 2023. But his performance at French Open has been a reminder of his actual talent. After he won the fourth round and entered the quarterfinal, Zverev had a lighthearted press conference in which he joked about his fans calling him a lion.

Going into the quarterfinals would mean that Zverev has one hurdle left before he can find redemption at Roland Garros. Due to an abhorrent injury in the previous year’s Roland Garros, the German was forced to retire in the semifinal against Rafael Nadal. The crowd cheered as he walked away, but Zverev will want the crowd to cheer for him in the finals this year.

Alexander Zverev now a lion

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As he blazes past player after player at Roland Garros, the German is paving a path to the finals. Zverev has won his matches with style but not ease. The former rank 3 has had to put in great effort to win his matches, especially against Frances Tiafoe. But he could breathe easier as he beat Grigor Dimitrov in straight sets.

via Reuters

As he entered the final stages once again, the post-match press conference was about his fans lauding him. One reporter asked him if he was akin to a lion, as suggested by his admirers. The reporter further asked if the name came up because he was handsome, ferocious, or because he slept for long periods.

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Read more – Controversy Erupts at French Open as Fans Bash ‘Unfair’ Move Against American Star Frances Tiafoe in His Heart-Breaking 4-Set Defeat to Alexander Zverev

Zverev chuckled before he replied. The German said that he liked the nickname as lions mostly sleep, eat, and have s*x. But on a less comedic note, he did not figure out how to answer the question.

Yeah, what is it? Lions sleep 18 hours a day and have s*x for 4 hours a day and then eat for 2? Doesn’t sound too bad to me, to be honest. I don’t know how to answer that, to be honest. That’s probably a little bit has to do with haircut, a little bit with screaming.”

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While Zverev is ranked on the lower side, his current performance could help him beat his next opponent, Tomás Martín Etcheverry. As the German prepares for the next match, he will undoubtedly aim at the trophy.

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