Sawt Falasteen - Zverev hoping lightning doesn't strike twice at French Open

Zverev fell in last year's final to Carlos Alcaraz after eliminating French Open icon Rafael Nadal in the first round.

Zverev was the last player to face Nadal in a Grand Slam match at Roland Garros when he eliminated the record 14-time champion.

On Friday, the German revealed to reporters that his journey to Paris had been "a phenomenal trip" after his plane from Hamburg was struck by lightning.

"We were supposed to fly yesterday evening, and we took off from Hamburg, and we were flying together with (Jiri) Lehecka, (Brandon) Nakashima, some doubles guys, and we got struck by lightning, funny enough.

"So we had to do an emergency landing back in Hamburg. Couldn't find another plane, so everybody else flew the next morning.

"It was the first time experience got struck by lightning midair, which is funny because it was a little noise, no real wobbling, nothing, but yeah. So that was my trip over. Best story of Roland Garros so far."

This year Zverev opens against 67th-ranked American teenager Learner Tien in Paris.

"I'm playing another lefty, but obviously not somebody who won the tournament 14 times," he said.

"I think Rafa Nadal on Philippe Chatrier Court is the most difficult task in sports history.

"I think the fans will miss him. It's great to see that Roland Garros is planning a big ceremony for him and planning something special. I'm looking forward to seeing what that will be."

Zverev also lost the Australian Open final this year to Italian Jannik Sinner and finished runner-up in the 2020 US Open final.

His build-up to the tournament included a quarter-final finish in Rome and a last-16 exit in Hamburg this week.

"I think the first few matches will be very important for me, for sure," said the 28-year-old.

"But again, Roland Garros is different to all the other tournaments on clay.

"A lot of other things come into consideration here.

"I remember last year Carlos he had a very bad clay court season, and he came in here, was maybe struggling a bit more in the early rounds, but then found his rhythm and won the tournament.

"I'm not saying that will happen to me, but of course that's what I'm looking for.

"It is crucial for me to play well in the early stages. I'm excited for another opportunity, especially after the Australian Open."

I.Matar--SF-PST