'Absolute BS!' - John McEnroe dismisses Alexander Zverev claims ahead of French Open quarter-final after Jannik Sinner and Novak Djokovic exits

The world No. 3 has an unwanted 0-3 record in Grand Slam finals, but with Jannik Sinner, Carlos Alcaraz and Novak Djokovic absent in the second week at Roland-Garros, the German has been presented with a unique opportunity which may never arise again.

Zverev has dropped just one set en route to setting up his quarter-final against 19-year-old debutant Rafael Jodar, and despite the Spaniard being among a number of talented youngsters remaining in Paris, McEnroe feels Zverev is the clear favourite to go all the way.

"No Alcaraz [through injury], no Sinner, no Djokovic," TNT Sports expert McEnroe said in the TNT Sports studio. "These guys are definitely the future, and they may, to some extent, be the present. But nonetheless, it's there for the taking for Sascha."

Speaking to reporters after beating Jesper de Jong in straight sets on Sunday, Zverev downplayed the pressure now facing him to win the title.

McEnroe, however, said the 29-year-old's claims are "BS, absolute BS!"

"[There is] unbelievable pressure," McEnroe added. "There's more pressure on him in a way now than any more tournament he's ever played, for sure. He's the best player in men's history never to win a major. And it was like, 'oh my God', how could he?

"He almost beat Carlos, but he didn't. He doesn't have to beat any of them. He's got to be feeling more pressure than any time in his entire career."

In a fascinating men's draw, a new Grand Slam champion is set to be crowned. Jodar, Joao Fonseca and Jakub Mensik comprise the list of prodigious youngsters in uncharted territory, deep in a major tournament for the first time in their careers.

"It’s the most open French Open we’ve had in forever," Courier said. "Look at the top half of the draw, [Matteo] Berrettini has been to a Wimbledon final, [Felix] Auger-Aliassime has been to a couple of major semi-finals - everyone else is very new to this depth of a major."

Courier questioned how the lack of experience in latter stages of a major might stand the likes of Jodar, Fonseca and Mensik against Zverev, who has suffered more heartache than most in the critical stages of tournaments.

"The bottom half, I see the guy who has been waiting so patiently, Alexander Zverev," Courier said. "He’s got three young guns - two 19-year-olds in Jodar and Fonseca, and a 20-year-old in Jakub Mensik. These guys are all good, all hungry and have no scar tissue.

"What is that scar tissue going to do to Zverev? Is he going to overthink it? Is he going to be able to relax and play the tennis that has been so consistent over the years and good enough to beat everyone apart from the biggest of the bigs? He definitely is the favourite, he knows it, we know it. We’ll see how that plays out."

TNT Sports expert Johanna Konta, meanwhile, feels the title is anyone's to win, and explained how the widespread upsets can give more "belief" to the less-fancied players remaining in the hunt.

"It’s not clear," Konta said. "Here, and on the surface, the match-up and game styles, you can make an argument for everyone.

"And because you had so many upsets, so many epic battles, I think everyone has that extra little bit of belief, and they might stay there a little bit longer during the match. That adds to the psychology of it."

Zverev and Jodar will battle in Tuesday's third match on Court Philippe-Chatrier. Fonseca and Mensik will battle in the evening session.

Add TNT Sports as a preferred source here to enjoy more content like this.

Stream every court from the 2026 French Open exclusively live on TNT Sports and HBO Max.