Australian Open: Alexander Zverev jokes about 'boring match-up' as he awaits Novak Djokovic or Carlos Alcaraz showdown

Alexander Zverev jokingly referred to Novak Djokovic and Carlos Alcaraz's Australian Open quarter-final as "an absolutely boring match-up". The German was asked his thoughts on the "highlight of the tournament", with the world No. 2 due to play the winner in the last four of the year's opening Grand Slam. Zverev himself beat American 12th seed Tommy Paul in four sets, 7-6(1) 7-6(0) 2-6 6-1.

Zverev jokes about 'boring match-up' as he awaits Djokovic or Alcaraz showdown

Video credit: TNT Sports

Alexander Zverev joked that Novak Djokovic’s Australian Open quarter-final against Carlos Alcaraz would be an "absolutely boring match-up".

The world No. 2 had himself just won his own last-eight encounter - against the American 12th seed Tommy Paul - who he beat 7-6(1) 7-6(0) 2-6 6-1 on Rod Laver Arena.

The victory means that Zverev, who reached his third semi-final in Melbourne, will face either 24-time Grand Slam champion Djokovic or four-time major winner Alcaraz in the last four.

US Open

'The same with Novak' - Fearnley disgruntled by Zverev behaviour

29/08/2025 at 13:59

Zverev is bidding to reach the final at Melbourne Park for the first time, but will have his work cut out against the winner of the "highlight match of the tournament".

Asked by Jim Courier in his on-court interview about his thoughts on the Djokovic-Alcaraz match, Zverev comically replied: "An absolutely boring match-up.

"No reason to stay here after you just witnessed Zverev-Paul.

Watch extraordinary moment a FEATHER halts point to upset Zverev

Video credit: TNT Sports

"Two of the best players to ever touch a tennis racquet. Novak is the greatest of all time, Carlos is going to be one of them when he hangs it up.

"It’s a clash of generations. They have played Grand Slam finals, and the Olympic final last year. It’s a privilege to witness it."

The German will be hoping that the match goes a marathon distance, so that his next opponent will be jaded when it comes to the semi-final.

Djokovic v Alcaraz - preview of blockbuster quarter-final at Australian Open

Video credit: TNT Sports

At times in his own quarter-final against Paul, Zverev looked off-colour, but he hung in the rallies when he was playing poorly, "somehow" managing to win sets one and two, despite feeling that he did not deserve to.

"I actually don’t know [how I got it done]," Zverev said. "I should have been down two sets to love.

"He served in both of those sets, he played better than me. I was not playing great, and I thought he was.

"I somehow won the first and second sets, and was up by two sets all of a sudden, needing one more. The fourth set was definitely the best I’ve played. I’m extremely happy to be back in the semi-finals."

Zverev had mentioned previously that he much preferred playing in the evenings at Melbourne, and said here that was because he was "feeling the ball so well" in the cooler air.

However, he recognised that he was perhaps not quite the main draw on day 10 of the Australian Open.

"I absolutely love playing night matches here," Zverev continued. "I really do, I don’t know why.

"I feel the ball so well on my racquet, and during the day, I struggle a bit more. I’m in the semi-final somehow, and I’m happy about that.

Zverev beats Paul to set up semi with Djokovic or Alcaraz - Australian Open highlights

Video credit: TNT Sports

"Of course, I totally understand that Novak against Carlos is the highlight match. It’s probably the highlight match of the whole tournament. I tried to request the night match, but I was denied very quickly."

The German did say that he had had issues in the lead-up to the year’s first Grand Slam, struggling with a niggle in his arm that forced him to withdraw from the United Cup, which hindered his warm-up into the Australian Open.

"I was very uncertain coming into the tournament," he said.

"I had a bit of an arm injury. I had to pull out of the United Cup, so I didn’t have the preparation that I wanted.

"I played well in the first few matches, and that gave me a load of confidence for the tough battles like today and two days ago, and I’m looking forward to the - hopefully - two more matches to play."

---

Stream the 2025 Australian Open live and on-demand on discovery+

US Open