Alexander Zverev back in the elite: “Don’t take it for granted”
Alexander Zverev starts as an outsider at the ATP Finals in Turin. His participation alone is a success.
by SID
last edit:
Nov 11, 2023, 10:37 am
Alexander Zverev heaves a medicine ball with full force against the wall and jumps explosively from a squat onto a fitness box - the Olympic champion is once again mobilizing all his strength in training for the prestigious end of the season in Turin. Taking part in the ATP Finals means a lot to the 26-year-old.
“I simply enjoy being among the eight best players in the world and being able to compete with them,” said Zverev, referring to the highlight tournament: “It’s a prestigious event, an honor to be there, and I don't take it for granted."
Especially not after his history with the serious injury and the bumpy first third of the season. Turin is an important confirmation for the world number eight that hard work and resilience pays off in the end. But the tournament winner from 2018 and 2021 could also show that there are still a few percent missing from the absolute top.
#VIDEO#
Zverev against Alcaraz on Monday
At the Masters in Paris it wasn't enough against world number six Stefanos Tsitsipas, who like Novak Djokovic is already challenged on Sunday. The defeat fit into the overall impression that Zverev is struggling against the top players. At the US Open he at least managed a statement victory against Jannik Sinner. Then at the last Grand Slam of the year it was over in the quarter-finals against Carlos Alcaraz - the Spaniard is now Zverev's opening opponent at the ATP Finals on Monday (2.30 p.m./Sky).
"The special thing about this tournament is that in normal weeks you have time to adjust to the matches, to find your rhythm, to find your game. Here you don't have that. You play against one of the eight best players in the first game the world, and that's what's special about it," said Zverev. In the group phase he will also face duels with the two Russians Daniil Medvedev and Andrey Rublev, against whom Zverev recently lost in Beijing and Vienna.
The Hamburger goes into the tournament as an outsider, which is also proven by the bookmakers' odds. Only the Dane Holger Rune, who has recently been trained by Boris Becker, is given lower chances of winning the tournament. But this also means that Zverev can play without pressure in the last hurrah of a long tennis season.