Status: 25.08.2024 15:43
Tennis pro Alexander Zverev has always been close to his longed-for triumph at Grand Slam tournaments. However, his own body has also given up on him several times just before the finish line – but Germany’s number one is not going to let that stop him in New York.
Alexander Zverev has never really liked the hectic Big Apple. “I’m not a huge fan of New York. I’m someone who loves nature and being outdoors. That doesn’t exist here,” said the Hamburg native, who has “no time” for sightseeing in the global metropolis anyway – and only wants to concentrate on his title hunt at the US Open: “We’re all here to play tennis – and the goal here is still to win the tournament.”
For years, Zverev has been yearning for a major title, something he has never achieved in his successful career. In Flushing Meadows, where he was only two points away from triumph in 2020 before suffering one of the bitterest defeats of his career against Dominic Thiem, it should finally happen. After weeks of health and sporting setbacks, the Tokyo Olympic champion feels ready for the big coup.
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Alexander “Sascha” Zverev is Germany’s best tennis player. The career of the Tokyo Olympic champion from Hamburg in pictures. Picture gallery
Repeatedly slowed down by injuries
Time and again in his career, Zverev has been slowed down by his own body in his quest for his first title at one of the four biggest tournaments – several times since his return from a serious ankle injury in the summer of 2022 alone.
Last year he injured his thigh before the semi-final of the French Open against Casper Ruud from Norway. At the US Open, after a previously exhausting performance, he also suffered a muscle injury in the quarter-final against the Spaniard Carlos Alcaraz and had no chance. At the Australian Open at the beginning of this season, Zverev developed a fever before the semi-final against Daniil Medvedev from Russia.
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Local hero Alexander Zverev had to admit defeat to Frenchman Arthur Fils in three sets at the tennis tournament in Hamburg. But his injured knee is “getting better and better”. more
Zverev’s tank is full again
His second Grand Slam final appearance ended in Paris this summer with a five-set defeat to the 21-year-old Alcaraz. Will Zverev remain unfinished in the face of the increasingly strong next generation? “I have the feeling I’m very close,” said Zverev on Monday (5 p.m. CEST) before his doable first-round defeat against fellow countryman and lucky loser Maximilian Marterer, who replaced the ill Finn Emil Ruusuvuori:
“If I can show my best tennis and am 100 percent, I will get chances.”
Alexander Zverev
His body has recovered. “I still have a cough, but otherwise I’m fine,” reported the 27-year-old. In Cincinnati, Zverev had recently shown an improving form after a blood test following mysterious malaise at the Olympic Games in Paris and Montreal showed no evidence of illness. “I wasn’t sick, it wasn’t corona, I was very, very exhausted, very tired,” said Zverev, adding that the “tank” was simply “empty.” Just in time for the last Grand Slam tournament of the year, it is full again.
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The Hamburg tennis pro is in poor health two weeks before the start of the US Open. It is uncertain whether he is fit enough to win in New York. more
Solvable tournament tree at the US Open
Is the time finally ripe? The world number four has been in the main draw of a major 34 times, and 34 times he has not made it big. For Novak Djokovic, a possible semi-final opponent for Zverev, one thing is certain: the Hamburg native would have “deserved” this title, this missing piece of the puzzle in his career, long ago. The Serb made that clear in July at Wimbledon, but also put his finger on the 27-year-old’s deep wound: “It’s not easy. The longer it takes to win a Grand Slam title, the more you think about it.”
“Hope I can give myself a chance”
In his 35th attempt, anything seems possible for Zverev, who is starting the tournament like seven other German professionals. The French Open finalist has been very consistent this year, with 52 wins, the most on the entire tour. Hard courts suit the tall serve specialist, who has also landed a solvable tournament tree. Zverev needs seven wins to fulfill his big dream. “I hope,” he said, “that I can give myself a chance.”
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The Hamburg native wants to have a medical check-up after his quarter-final defeat in Paris: “I can’t win a tournament like this.” more
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Sports news | 26.08.2024 | 19:17
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