Alexander Zverev: Mats Wilander counts on him as number 1 in the world
Mats Wilander believes that Olympic champion Alexander Zverev can jump to the top of the world rankings despite the disappointment at the Australian Open.
by SID
last edit: Jan 26, 2022, 01:30 pm
"I wouldn't be surprised if Alexander Zverev was at the top," replied the seven-time Grand Slam champion from Sweden in an interview with Sport Bild when asked who he would bet on as number one in the world in five years. Zverev is his "first choice".
The top German player Zverev has "the serve, the determination and the will to work," said Wilander: "Therefore, he will learn to play well on all surfaces, in all Grand Slams." Zverev is still waiting for his first major title. At the Australian Open, the third in the world rankings started as a hot title candidate, but failed in the round of 16.
Wilander on Zverev: "Not really a weakness"
In contrast to his competitors Daniil Medvedev or Stefanos Tsitsipas, Zverev "doesn't really have a weakness. He can play on sand and also on grass," said Wilander. According to the 57-year-old, the 57-year-old from Hamburg actually has all the ingredients for a Grand Slam title.
"I'm not sure he has anything else to add to his repertoire," said Wilander. Zverev just has to "be more confident" and "focus on playing more consistently aggressively".
"Speaking for him: With his hard serve and his basic strokes, he can sweep people off the field," said the former world number one: "But if that doesn't work, he voluntarily retreats, stands further back and becomes too passive. Big champions don't do that !"