"It's always the same" - Alexander Zverev distraught following another early round loss, upset by Matteo Berrettini in Monte-Carlo

World No.2 Alexander Zverev suffered a devastating loss to Matteo Berrettini in their opening round clash at the 2025 Monte-Carlo Masters, leading the German tennis superstar to question his mindset during his poor string of losses.

The former Olympic gold medalist kicked off the European clay court season in Monte Carlo, where he was the top seed. Favored over Berrettini in their opening round match, it was the Italian who prevailed with a 2-6 6-3 7-5 victory.

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The losses have a similar pattern, admits Zverev

After finishing runner-up at the Australian Open in January, Zverev has suffered several embarrassing opening round losses. With his performance in Monte-Carlo being the latest where the German has lost a match in three sets, Zverev lamented on why he was unable to see these matches to completion.

"What was decisive was that I played the first set very well, and once I lost my serve in the second set, I played ten levels lower," reflected the top seed. "My ball was much slower. I wasn't hitting the ball anymore. It's been the same story for the past few months. It's always the same. So I was the one who lost the match, once again.
"I think it was bad. I thought my level was horrible, but that's just my opinion. The question is, I lose. It's as simple as that. If we win one or two of these matches, there are no more questions, not in my mind or for all of you. But I lost in three sets in Buenos Aires, I lost in three sets in Rio, I lost in three sets in Indian Wells, I lost in three sets in Miami, I lost in three sets here, and I didn't win a single one. That's the problem. I've been trying to figure it out for months now. I don't know anymore."

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