'I would have smashed a racket after the first set' - Zverev outlines more composed mindset as he looks to replicate Federer

World number three Alexander Zverev has been known for outbursts and displays rage when on the court, but he managed to keep his temper in check after defeating Alexi Popyrin 6-7(8), 6-4, 6-3 in the Canadian Open quarter-finals. The German entered the event as the top seed and looks good to challenge for the title he first won in 2017.

Both players fought a closely battled first set, each failing to take their lone break point ahead of a tiebreak. Zverev had two set points but failed to take any of them, with Popyrin having taken his second opportunity to go ahead.

Zverev swiftly put that behind him and won the opening three games of the second set. The Aussie had a break point to make it 3-2, but took his next chance a couple of games later, breaking the German to love to put the game back on serve. At 5-4, Zverev found himself 0-40 ahead, and unlike the first set, was not going to squander this opportunity to win the set and level the tie.

In a similar fashion to the second set, Zverev kept his high level and won the opening three games before the match stayed on serve till the end, when the German took his first match point to send him through to his second Canadian Open semi-final.

For a place in the final, he will face Russian Karen Khachanov, who beat Alex Michelsen in straight sets. Zverev has won the last three meetings without dropping a set, but Khachanov was victorious in the 2019 Canadian Open, winning the quarter-final before losing out in the semis.

Positive mentality change aids Zverev

Back in 2022, Zverev was disqualified from the Mexico Open in a doubles match after he repeatedly struck the umpire's chair in frustration and anger. He was given a suspended eight-month ban for unsportsmanlike conduct.

Three years later, the former Olympic champion has changed his mentality, now wanting to be a role model for the sport. He explained that it came from when he became a father, and that his angry outbursts and racquet smashing were long gone.

"A while ago, I would have smashed a racket after the first set, but I didn’t, and it’s going to stay that way," Zverev said after the victory. "I’ve embraced being a role model in tennis. Becoming a father changed me. I want to set a good example and be remembered for my tennis and the good things I do off the court, like with my foundation, not for my outbursts of anger."

Zverev looks to Federer for inspiration

Federer is well-known not just as one of the best tennis players ever, but for his calm and composed demeanour. The 20-time Grand Slam winner was looked up to by many for this attitude, and it almost certainly helped him go on and win all those titles.

The Swiss was not always like this, with him known as a hot-headed youngster. When things did not go his way, he was prone to the odd racquet break and temper outbursts. It was when he worked with a psychologist that he started to reach his high potential, something many tennis players strive to repeat.

Zverev has also chosen to look up to the man he beat in the 2017 Canadian Open final, citing his change in attitude when he was younger. "In a way, Federer was an inspiration for making this change. Seeing how, as a young man, he lost his temper and then became the epitome of perfection motivated me to make this decision."

This mental tweak for a more cool and composed mind has worked so far for Zverev in Canada, as he goes into a busy period in the tennis season, with another Masters event following in Cincinnati before the US Open gets underway.