The video that the ATP published on Twitter a few days ago was reminiscent of vacationing with friends.
Alexander Zverev strolls along the Sydney harbor promenade with Jan-Lennard Struff, Kevin Krawietz, Tim Pütz and Yannick Hanfmann. The mood is great, people joke and laugh.
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“I’m still getting used to it, but I’m happy with the way things are. I played against two very high-class players,” said Zverev.
Above all, the “intensity and the hardness of the shot” were a very good match against the American Fritz. Of course it is not. In the past two editions of the team competition, Zverev suffered a whopping five defeats in his six singles.
Djokovic’s decision has consequences for ranking
If the court decides in favor of Djokovic, Zverev would have to share the role of the hottest title candidate with the Serb.
Zverev exclusive: That’s why I see Djokovic in front of Federer and Nadal
That can be an advantage, because after Olympic gold, the title at the ATP Finals and two Masters successes in the 2021 season, the tennis world is expecting the 24-year-old’s first Grand Slam coup more than ever.
- Tip: Zverev about Djokovic in the podcast The yellow from the ball
However, a Djokovic appearance in Melbourne would mean that Zverev would have to give up his hope of taking over the top in the ATP ranking after the tournament – which would be conceivable. “There are a thousand mathematical gimmicks. If he doesn’t play Australia and I win the Australian Open, then I’ll be number one in the world,” had Zverev exclusively at Eurosport explained in the podcast The Yellow from the Ball.
Zverev at Eurosport: “I’ve become much calmer”
Anyway: Zverev goes into the first highlight of the season knowing that they have all the weapons to beat Djokovic. Last year the two top players faced each other five times. Although the Serb won three of the duels, Zverev decided the last one to date at the ATP Finals.
“I have become much calmer, am getting older and am no longer 18 or 19. I understand perhaps a little more things about life and I am aware that you just have to stay calm in important situations,” said the Olympic champion, describing his maturation process.
In addition, of all the top players, Zverev is currently in the best starting position for Melbourne.
Nadal, Djokovic and Tsitsipas clearly at a disadvantage
Djokovic has not played a match this year. Rafael Nadal, on the other hand, has almost no match practice after a long break and has only just survived a corona infection, the latter also applies to Andrey Rublev.
So make way for Zverev?
No, of course it’s not that easy. What is certain, however, is that, given the current situation, there is no player who goes into the match as a favorite in the duel with Zverev.
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