Alexander Zverev fed up of questions surrounding big names exiting Roland Garros: "I don't know how many more times I have to say this"

Alexander Zverev had to repeatedly clap back at reporters when asked how he was processing the recent upsets at the 2026 French Open. He avoided one himself after defeating home favourite Quentin Halys 6-4, 6-3, 5-7, 6-2.

Zverev dampened the home crowd's mood after storming into a two-set lead. A break advantage in each of them proved to be enough, but not in the third set. Halys recovered from a break deficit to get back in the match, hopeful of another incredible upset at Roland Garros this year. This was not to be as Zverev saw it out and confirmed his spot on the fourth round for the ninth consecutive year in Paris.

"I actually thought the third set was okay as well," Zverev told the press, reacting to the match. "I was a break up and then had a few concentration lapses. But apart from that, the match was fine. If you ignore the third set a little bit, everything was completely okay. I've lost one set in three matches. That's okay."

This French Open has been blown wide open. Carlos Alcaraz out injured, Jannik Sinner and Novak Djokovic all out. The likes of Daniil Medvedev, Ben Shelton and Alex de Minaur all failing to capitalise. Zverev is the man to beat in the French capital with a shot at a maiden Grand Slam looking very tantalising.

However, the German is only focused on the next matchup against lucky loser Jesper de Jong. "I have to concentrate on the things that I can influence, and that's my own matches. As I've already said, I'm playing Jesper de Jong next. He's playing unbelievably good tennis here, and that's my focus."

It gives him flashbacks to the 2017 US Open which was also an open tournament. "Yes, it reminds me a little bit of the 2017 US Open. Andy Murray was injured and out, and a lot of the top players lost very early. But I also lost early myself, so I wasn't really part of that tournament. We'll see. As I said, I can only influence the things that I can influence, and that's my own matches."

All these early departures have not affected Zverev. "For me, it doesn't really change much," he admitted. "The players you've mentioned are guys I could only have played in the semi-finals. So first I have to get there, and I have to win my matches. It doesn't affect my next round, it doesn't affect the round after that. The impact of what you're talking about can only come in about a week's time. Until then, I have to do my job well."

He was asked whether he sent a message to Sinner after his devastating loss, but Zverev said that his phone was off. He also unveiled that he was not watching the Djokovic match, but did catch the ending. The Serbian lost to Brazilian sensation Joao Fonseca in five sets right before he went onto Court Philippe Chatrier.

"I saw the end of the fifth set. I had started getting taped up and watched a bit then. Novak looked relatively tired, and Joe was swinging very freely and making a lot of shots. But that's really all I saw. I didn't experience much more of it."

While the heat really affected Sinner, Zverev has been fortunate to compete in the night sessions as of late. This does not seem to be continuing. "I don't think that's even allowed anymore. I believe you're not allowed to play three night sessions in a row."

With the weather now set to be cooler compared to the scorching heat previously experienced, the world number three had no preference or idea when he plays. "No idea. What am I supposed to tell the scheduling team for next week? I have no idea. I don't ask anyone. I play whenever I'm supposed to be on court. I probably won't be first on."

To conclude, he was adamant that he was not focusing on other top names departing. "I don't know how many more times I have to say this. I'm playing against Jesper de Jong. Nothing else interests me. Okay?"