ROLEX SHANGHAI MASTERS

October 13, 2026

Alexander Zverev

Mixed Zone

A. ZVEREV/A. Bublik

7-6, 6-4, 7-6

Q. I know that players don't really like to over share on it, but if you can bring us into the process, maybe you had to decide also to play the match, because a lot of players think long-term, and so there is ATP Finals, so I would like to know before the match you and your team if you spoke about it.

ALEXANDER ZVEREV: Yeah, I start to feel my ankle last match. I then actually, in the warm up, it was good. In the beginning, in the first set it was also good, I felt fine.

But the longer the match went on, in the middle of the second set, it started to be a bit worse. But if you know, I've never retired in a tennis match in my life, except 2022 Roland Garros, where I really couldn't walk. So I want to keep that going. I don't want to retire with no reason.

But, yeah. Again, I fought through, and I won, I'm happy about that.

Q. It's almost like two heavyweights going out there tonight. Do you enjoy those matches where it's just clean ball striking, big ball striking both ends?

ALEXANDER ZVEREV: Yeah, I think, especially on a surface like that, with these kind of balls, you know, both of us serve 220, 224, 225 sometimes. You don't get a lot of rallies. You don't get a lot of rhythm. But that's also part of tennis, you know.

Back in the day when I started playing tennis, I say back in the day because that was more than 10 years ago, a lot of surfaces were like that. So, I also enjoy these kind of matches. I also enjoy these kind of games. Again, today I'm happy that I won.

Q. About No. 1, did it already arrive, the moment of being very emotional for you in private, or you are still with the mind inside the tournament, so maybe you'll think about it later?

ALEXANDER ZVEREV: Yeah, I think the emotions come when you actually see the No. 1 next to your name. I think that will be, for sure, something special.

For now, I'm No. 2 in the world still, funny enough, and that, you know, I clenched the world No. 1 for year end is, of course, with Jannik being out, unfortunately. But, yeah, I think, once it happens, it will be a special moment for me.

Q. Did you receive any special messages from any of your pals?

ALEXANDER ZVEREV: Yeah, everybody. Yeah. (Laughing).