TENNIS: Zverev says Olympic gold ultimate prize despite chasing maiden major

PARIS — Alexander Zverev may be closing in on an elusive maiden Grand Slam title at the French Open, but the German said on Tuesday that he would never trade his Olympic gold medal for one, calling it the most difficult thing to win.

The second seed has capitalized on a Paris draw missing defending champion Carlos Alcaraz and hit by the early exits of Jannik Sinner and Novak Djokovic, reaching the semifinals with a 7-6(3), 6-1, 6-3 win over Spanish teenager Rafael Jodar.

While the 29-year-old now stands two wins away from a first major title after three runners-up finishes, Zverev said he has already won something that matters more to him.

Asked if he would trade the gold medal he won at the Tokyo Olympics five years ago, Zverev said:

"No chance. The gold medal for me is the most difficult thing to win because you get a chance once every four years. It's special in a way that there are so few people that have done it. I think you do it for your country. You do it for the people back home.

"I'll never trade my gold medal for anything, but I wouldn't mind adding a few things to my list as well."

Standing between Zverev and a fourth appearance in a Grand Slam title clash will be either Brazilian 28th seed Joao Fonseca or 26th-seeded Czech Jakub Mensik, with that duo contesting their quarterfinal later on Tuesday.

Zverev said he would watch that match from his hotel room, but his overall focus remains strictly on himself.

"Who do I prefer to play? I don't care at all, to be honest. For me, it doesn't matter," Zverev said, adding that he only has to have faith in his game now.

"I have to trust my tennis and trust myself. If I play well, then I think that's 99% of the work. I focus on the next match and I focus on the opponent as they cross the net, and that's the only thing I can control. If I win those matches, then that's great." -Reporting by Shrivathsa Sridhar in Paris; Editing by Ken Ferris/Reuters