Alexander Zverev after out in Barcelona: trapped in the downward spiral
Alexander Zverev's crisis continued in Barcelona, where the world champion performed without courage and self-confidence.
by Jörg Allmeroth
last edit: Apr 24, 2019, 09:16 am
When Boris Becker recently made a detour to the Stuttgart Tennis National Performance Center, he found a few warm words on the side of his visit for his best man in men's tennis - for Alexander Zverev.
"99.9 percent" dreamed of the world champion title that Zverev had won in 2018, Becker told the newspaper group in Stuttgart, and he was astonished at all "what the German public defines as success or failure." And then Becker added, Zverev be "by far the best player of his generation ... all of this is excellent for now."
Becker said it at a moment that Zverev was in the first major crisis not only this season, but his professional career at all. A crisis that worsened on Tuesday after Easter by kicking off against Chilean Jarry in Barcelona. Zverev even awarded a match point before his trip to Catalonia ended bitterly in the tiebreak of the third set, after a 3-0 lead in this lottery game.
Zverev without confidence and courage
One could of course understand Becker, the patriarch, when he spoke up for Zverev. He is, so to speak, the department head of German men's tennis, the central official and also chief diplomat. He needs Zverev for the German national team, for the Davis Cup appearances. He needs a harmonious mood, between DTB and Zverev - and himself. Becker could have denied this interview very differently, he could have said that someone like Zverev also has to live with harsh criticism because he has great, outstanding talents Is provided.
And he could have referred to how it was with himself then, with Becker - in the 80s and 90s, when many were waiting for his defeats to pillor the failed one. Against the criticism that Becker used to face in all possible and impossible processes at the time, looking at Zverev's failures still seems like a gentle breeze. Lost Becker, it was a state affair often enough, even in his teenage years.
Zverev, it was also evident in his recent unsuccessful appearance, is currently playing without confidence and courage. He waits for what his opponent is doing, he waits for the other's mistakes - instead of taking the initiative himself and showing storm and urge. For a long time, the Chilean Jarry in Barcelona did him the favor of making many mistakes. But when his rival struggled, Zverev was very lucky to get a matchball and hit the tie-break again.
Sascha only in 21st place in the race
Even a win would hardly have dispelled the doubts that gnaw at the Hamburg native. The doubts why it no longer works at the moment, why the matter of course can no longer be taken for granted. The defending champion is currently in 21st place in the annual best list, the "Race to London" for the ATP World Cup - after the Barcelona week he will probably fall back a little. The placement is honest, Zverev is still in third place in the world rankings because of the points won from the previous season, but he does not play top 5 or top ten tennis this delicate year. The only bright spot so far has been a final at the tournament in Acapulco, but on other major stages it was often only a marginal phenomenon. Bad luck also came for the unfortunate, during the America tour in February and March he contracted a viral disease and lost a lot of weight.
And now Zverev's appearances and statements have a sad recognition effect. The German booked two last minute tournaments to get the much needed game practice and match toughness, but what he got were frustratingly goodbyes - first in Marrakech, now in Barcelona. Zverev's next hope rests next week at the BMW Open in Munich, the tournament he won in 2017 and 2018. Title defense, title hat-trick, it would be a crazy spin of history, one of those crazy shoots that Zverev's mentor Becker was known for before.