Alexander Zverev is heading into another Grand Slam final with John McEnroe’s warning still attached to his Roland Garros run.
The German beat Jakub Mensik in Friday’s semi-final to move within one match of his first major title.
That gives fresh weight to the moment John McEnroe warned that it was “now or never” for Zverev, while also saying he would feel the pressure of being favourite.
John McEnroe’s Zverev warning now has final-stage context
McEnroe’s comments were made before Zverev had finished the job against Mensik. They now read less like a preview line and more like the main context around Sunday’s final.
Zverev was already the highest-ranked player left in the draw after several major names fell away. The important point is that he has backed up that position by reaching the match that matters most.
It was not a straight run through the semi-final. Zverev won 7-5, 6-2, 3-6, 6-3, but Mensik’s third-set response forced him to reset before closing the match.
Alexander Zverev has another chance to change his Grand Slam record
This is the part of the story that gives McEnroe’s words their weight. Zverev has already lost three previous Grand Slam finals, including one in Paris last year.
That record does not make Sunday a judgment on his whole career. It does make it another clear chance to remove the one gap that still stands out on his Grand Slam record.
The semi-final lasted 3h01min, and Zverev now waits for his confirmed opponent in Sunday’s final.
He has reached the stage McEnroe described. The warning has not been answered yet, but it has followed Zverev all the way to the final.
Receive exclusive football transfer news and updates twice a week to your mailbox
