ATP Finals London: Zverev, Tsitsipas, Medvedev - The Human Touch
Also a topic at the ATP Finals in London: The interpersonal chemistry among the aspiring top stars.
by Jens Huiber
last edit: Nov 13, 2019, 01:44 pm
By Jens Huiber from London
If Humanity as such would play more Laver Cup - it would help everyone. Not only athletic, especially on the human level. Alexander Zverev almost did not hit the ball before the third edition of the team competition enforced by Roger Federer in September in Geneva. After that? Does it run like sliced bread? Final in Shanghai, on Monday then the dominant performance against Rafael Nadal - who should slow the German number one now?
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Especially since the days in French-speaking Switzerland have had a lasting effect on the welfare of the soul. At the US Open, Zverev had included Stefanos Tsitsipas in prayer at virtually every press conference, and not everything in these prayers required the audience to contribute to a children's ministry the following day. On Lake Geneva, of course, it has sparked between Zverev and Tsitsipas, who still share the same supplier and not the same manager.
Tsitsipas has respect for Medvedev
According to Zverev, in his press conference after the victory against Nadal, they talked about their mutual interests. That these are not compatible (Tsitsipas feels at home in photography, on YouTube and in social media, Alexander Zverev is particularly strangers with the latter), is no problem. All right so on this front.
Which does not bring us yet with Daniil Medvedev in the clean. "It's not like I hate him," Tsitsipas said in reference to the Russian. Which is certainly a step in the right direction. And even better. "I never said I disliked him." Well, the perceptions from outside may have been a little different after the events in Miami last year, when Tsitsipas left the court rather quickly. After a controversy, which he detailed again 18 months later in London. Meanwhile, he regrets his reaction at that time, but for a dinner together with Medvedev the mutual understanding is not enough. After all, the respect for the sporting development of Daniil is there.
Zverev must mediate
This is not enough for us in harmony with aficionados, it can only help with therapy, preferably in Boston. There, the Laver Cup will be held next year, an invitation to Daniil Medvedev should be just as mandatory as Stefanos Tsitsipas. Alexander Zverev, who is part of Team8, is a co-organizer, must be a mediator in the Bütt, preferably Clam Chowder and a bottle of non-alcoholic Samuel Adams. Would be laughed, if not a tender little plant of mutual affection could be brought to bloom. Not to mention a sporting renaissance after a possible performance low.