"I would not replace Jannik Sinner" - Alexander Zverev amid hope for short-term homely treatment from "crazy crowd" in Italian Open final

Alexander Zverev, a German, would not be able to replace Italian Jannik Sinner but hopes for support from the home crowd at the 2024 Italian Open final. Zverev will take on Chilean Nicolas Jarry in the title decider in Rome.

Third seed Zverev did not lose a set before reaching the semifinal of the Italian Open. He faced Chilean Alejandro Tabilo in the final-four stage and lost the first set 1-6. However, the German player fought back from a bleak position to take the next two sets 7-6 (4), 6-2.

Meanwhile, Jarry defeated American Tommy Paul in the other semifinal 6-3, 7-6 (3), 6-3.

During the post-match press conference, Zverev was asked about the support he was receiving from the Italian crowd.

"It's funny that when I play in Italy, actually one of the three countries I would say where I get the most support. I mean, really, I feel like I'm Italian when I play here. I get so much support, so much love, so much energy from the crowd all the time. Even today," Zverev said.

He appreciates the fans and loves the energy they provide.

"The Italians are a crazy crowd, and I love that. I love energy. I love when they're loud. And when they're for you, it's even better. I would not replace Jannik, but maybe for this week, if they can see it like that, I'm happy about that," he added.

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Alexander Zverev would be more than happy for the Italian Open to be his first Masters 1000 title after injury

Alexander Zverev at the Italian Open 2024.

Alexander Zverev's first Masters 1000 title came at Rome in 2017. Since then, he has won four more Masters 1000 titles and reached nine more finals. The 2024 Italian Open final will be Zverev's 11th Masters 1000 final and first since 2022.

In 2022, Zverev suffered a freak injury in the French Open semifinal. He is hoping to win his first Masters 1000 title since that injury.

"If Rome is the place for firsts for me, then I'm happy about that. My first Masters 1000, as you said, as a 20-year-old was here. If this is my first Masters 1000 after the injury, I'm happy about that, as well," Zverev said during his post-match press conference.

"Especially, at a place that I really love. Even outside of tennis, it's a city that I absolutely love and enjoy. So, yeah, if that's the case, I would be more than happy about that," he added.

Alexander Zverev will take on Nicholas Jarry in the 2024 Italian Open final on Sunday, May 19.