Alexander Zverev: "I'm the first to admit I've made some bad decisions"
Alexander Zverev shows himself from his most human side in a big interview with the German gala and talks about success, home and his life away from the court.
by Michael Rothschädl
last edit: Oct 29, 2020, 10:19 pm
Alexander Zverev doesn't make you really smart. Very big sporting exclamation marks, enormously human, sympathetic moments on and next to the court have been followed by sometimes severe setbacks lately - be it sporty, but also personal. Nevertheless, the 23-year-old can look back on his most successful season to date in 2020 - at least at Grand Slam level.
In the end, there were two points that the native of Hamburg was missing in the final of the US Open on the big coup against buddy Dominic Thiem. Two points that still give the German food for thought today - almost two months after the lost final. "Of course I still think about the fact that I was two points away from victory and about my decisions in the fifth set," said the seventh in the world ranking in an interview with the German gala . At the same time, of course, he hopes that there will soon be another chance to win the trophy. "Hopefully I still have around 12 years on the tour to return the favor."
Best major results in Melbourne and New York
In order to be able to build on the strong performances at the ATP Masters 1000 events at the Grand Slams, the four most important tournaments in the ATP calendar, the German has worked a lot and hard over the past weeks and months. "There was a lot of pressure and it's great that the hard work has finally paid off with great results in Melbourne and New York. There are many difficult moments in a player's career and more is expected, so it means a lot to be present on the last weekend of a Grand Slam, "said Zverev.
In order not to miss out on titles in this special 2020 season for the first time in four years, Zverev recently served twice at home. More precisely at the two ATP 250 events in Cologne, where he was able to leave unbeaten with two trophies in his luggage. These tournaments in his home country are something very special for the 23-year-old, as he emphasizes: "Germany will always be my home, my origin is very important to me. I grew up in Hamburg and whenever I have the opportunity to go to Germany to come and play a tournament here it feels like coming home. "
Zverev's new center of life in Monaco
In order to advance his tennis career, the German has moved the center of his life from Germany to Monaco - if there is anything like a center of life in the hectic calendar of the ATP touring circus: "On the tour you have to learn to feel at home everywhere. I have that The privilege of being able to often take my family and friends with you. Home is where my family is, "says Zverev.
Despite the down-to-earth attitude with which Zverev presents himself not only in conversation with the gala, the world number seven seems a bit aloof, arrogant or aloof for many. The negative headlines that the 23-year-old wrote over and over again in the past few weeks and months do not necessarily improve his image. Headlines that the German doesn't want to pay too much attention to: "I try not to read either the positive or the negative things. I'm the first to admit that I've made a few bad decisions in my career."
Problems with losing
Dealing with defeats and disappointments is much more difficult for the Germans: "I have to honestly say that I have trouble losing. That is something I really still have to work on." He tends to get angry and devour his emotions. "As a player, I work on it every day." In the future he will have to convert his competitive spirit into positive energy.
After a match, the native of Hamburg always finds it difficult to calm down; the adrenaline level after the game is too high. "I do stretching and massage after most matches, which helps me relax before going to sleep. Or I watch a show like" The Grand Tour "on Amazon Prime. I also often play FIFA with mine Friends ", the German explained his highly human post-match routine.
Click here for the complete interview with Alexander Zverev!