Alexander Zverev - friend of Gerard Piqué, but not the Davis Cup reform
Alexander Zverev is not a fan of the new Davis Cup format. The German number 1 has already expressed this in the past. In Frankfurt, Zverev confirmed his opinion and revealed what his goal is within the framework of the largest sporting team competition.
by Florian Heer
last edit: Feb 02, 2019, 07:38 pm
Florian Heer from Frankfurt
These days in the Main metropolis, too, Zverev never tires of emphasizing that he likes to play in front of his home backdrop. If it was up to the young star, the mood could be even more intense. "I would like the spectators to be a bit louder, especially in difficult matches, to support the players," the 21-year-old admitted on Friday evening in the Fraport Arena.
Germany led 2-0 after the first day, but team-mate Philipp Kohlschreiber was obviously struggling in his opening single against the Hungarian teenager Zsombor Piros. Zverev had hoped for a special extra kick from the outside. "Nothing against our fans. I love to play here, ”said“ Sascha ”but also in the same breath. You could hear and see this impressively when Zverev tuned into the "La Ola" with the almost 5,000 spectators during his own sovereign success against Peter Nagy.
Mood killer Davis Cup reform
The home atmosphere at the Davis Cup is now on the verge. After the reform decided last year by the international tennis association ITF and its partner Kosmos-Tennis, the final tournament moves to a neutral place. This year and next year, this should be the Spanish capital Madrid. In November 2019, the 18 best nations will meet there for the first time for the hoped-for highlight of the competition.
"The feeling at home is something very special and I think it's a shame that we lose it," is Zverev's conclusion.
Zverev: friend of Piqué, but not of the new Davis Cup format
Gerard Piqué, founder and chairman of the board of Kosmos Holding, will play a central role in the Davis Cup reform. When asked about the football star of FC Barcelona, Zverev said in Frankfurt:
“We are good friends and often talk to each other. We have also had dinner together. We get along very well. He is a great guy, but there is no one in the world who will change my mind to play in Madrid. I am an adult and I have my own opinion and it will stay that way. "
The third in the world rankings also provided the reason immediately.
“I find the new format bad and I hope that it will change again. I always played Davis Cup according to the old system. I will be there this week too. I'm sorry, but the boys will go to Madrid without me. ”
Hope to return to the old mode
After Zverev's clear positioning, the 21-year-old from Hamburg pushed his personal goals behind: "I hope to be able to win the Davis Cup in the format in which it has been held over the past 120 years."
Zverev receives support from his captain Michael Kohlmann: “The association and I are not friends of this new system. I think it's very good when actors like Llyeton Hewitt or Sascha take a clear stance. That may have an impact on decisions. Nevertheless, the game mode is different at the moment than in the past and we have to deal with it. That we are in top form at our home game is also a sign. ”