Jesper de Jong leaves Paris with his head held high. Just like last year, he was allowed to dream of an upset against a world-class player at Roland Garros, but this time Alexander Zverev was too strong.
Last year, De Jong stranded in the second round against Carlos Alcaraz, where, like against Zverev, he managed to win a set. “In that respect, it’s a repeat of last year, although I’m better now,” says De Jong afterwards.
Full of confidence, the 25-year-old De Jong stepped onto the packed Court Simonne-Mathieu on Thursday. On the third stadium of Stade Roland Garros, he surprised the public with the win of the first set: 6-3.
The supporters went wild and were clearly for the Dutch underdog. “That is very nice to experience. If you then hit such good balls, it makes it even better. I enjoyed it,” says De Jong.
After that first set, De Jong was allowed to dream of an upset. “Until I had a physical breakdown in that second set. He’s going to wear you down.”
“If you still want to have a chance, you have to take every opportunity you get, but that didn’t work,” says De Jong, who had to settle for a defeat in four sets: 6-3, 1-6, 2-6 and 3-6.
Zverev complimentary about De Jong
Despite missing out on the third round, De Jong is proud of himself. “Of course I’m happy with this. I played a good match and sold my skin dearly.”
Zverev was also impressed by the tennis player from Hoofddorp, who is in the top hundred for the first time this season. “He is a very good player,” said the German.
“He made it difficult for me in the first set and I had to adjust my match plan to him,” Zverev continued. “He is a really difficult opponent on gravel. Jesper looks very fit and has already achieved some great victories this year.”
De Jong can pocket those compliments. “But next time I don’t need this anymore,” he jokes. “Of course it’s nice to be able to play against those top players and that never gets old, but now I’m done with it.”
