Freed from demons, Zverev eyes rare Roland Garros-Wimbledon double

A year after a demoralizing first-round exit, Alexander Zverev finds himself in the Wimbledon semi-finals for the first time, a stark contrast to his previous struggles. The German player, who had described his past year as "lonely" and in need of therapy, is now all smiles after reaching this stage.

Winning his first Grand Slam at the French Open last month has seemingly liberated Zverev from his past demons. He is now just two wins away from achieving the rare Roland Garros-Wimbledon double in the same calendar year. Only six men in the professional era have accomplished this feat, a list including legends like Rod Laver, Roger Federer, and Novak Djokovic.

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I'm almost 30 years old, I've been on tour for long enough. I feel like I've seen the most hostile crowds, I've seen tough crowds, I've seen unfair crowds as well. I feel like I should know how to handle it, I've learned how to handle it. I'm okay with it

To advance, Zverev must first defeat British wildcard Arthur Fery, likely facing a fervent home crowd. However, the second seed remains unfazed. "I feel like I should know how to handle it, I've learned how to handle it. I'm okay with it," Zverev stated, referencing his experience with challenging crowds throughout his career.

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I always feel like the English crowd here, especially in London, they're always quite fair. Yes, they can be loud, they can be cheerful, but that's okay. I don't mind it at all

Despite being ranked significantly higher than Fery, Zverev aims to manage his expectations. "It's just another tennis match. Of course, it's a big match. There's a lot on the line," he said. "But in the end of the day, I've learned that a tennis match is a tennis match. Nobody will die."

Zverev is seeking to become the first German man since Michael Stich in 1991 to win the Wimbledon title. He expressed confidence in the fairness of the English crowd, noting, "I always feel like the English crowd here, especially in London, they're always quite fair."

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People maybe overthink it. It's just another tennis match. Of course, it's a big match. There's a lot on the line. It's a Wimbledon final on the line. We both know that, for sure. But in the end of the day, I've learned that a tennis match is a tennis match. Nobody will die. Their lives will not be drastically changed. We'll continue living.