Alexander Zverev - "The year can only get better"
Alexander Zverev is optimistic before the start of the ATP Masters 1000 tournament in Montreal. After all, he won the title on the spot in 2017.
by tennisnet.com
last edit: Aug 05, 2019, 08:33 am
Anyone who watched preparation for the ATP Masters 1000 tournament starting in Montreal on Sunday could see the youngest two champions in Canada at work: Rafael Nadal, winner in Toronto 2018, practiced with Alexander Zverev, who at the last edition in Montreal in 2017. While the Spaniard is on target with his successes in Rome and above all Roland Garros, Zverev has not yet had any titles apart from the tournament victory in Geneva this season.
For a separation from coach Ivan Lendl. And an upcoming one from manager Patricio Apey. The fact that the native of Hamburg still has good prospects for a new participation in the ATP Finals in London speaks for the class of Zverev.
Defeated Roger Federer in Montreal
"It was a terrible year for me, wasn't it?" Zverev had a slightly ironic voice at the mandatory media event. “I'm still in the top ten in the race to London and I'm number five in the world. You can always see the glass half empty or half full. ”In fact, Zverev slipped back two places in the ATP charts and is currently in seventh place.
"The year can only get better for me," continued Zverev, who defeated Roger Federer in the 2017 final in Montreal. "I hope it starts here. I hope it happens here. I'll play through the hard court swing and then we'll see. It's not all as bad as everyone thinks. "
Possible reunion with Basilashvili
The first task in Montreal can be solved. Zverev starts after a walk-through against either Marton Fucsovics or Cameron Norrie, after which there could be a reunion with Nikoloz Basilashvili, against whom he gave victory just a few days ago in Hamburg. Due to the absence of Novak Djokovic and Roger Federer, Zverev is third in Canada, with Rafael Nadal as the favorite.
It always helps to return to places where you have already been successful and feel good, Zverev said. In this sense, the German even has a slight advantage over Nadal. Even if the Spaniard also won in Montreal in 2005 and 2013.