ATP Masters Monte Carlo: Zverev goes into his "home tournament" with optimism
The clay court season begins for Alexander Zverev in Monte Carlo. The 23-year-old wants to put an exclamation mark in his adopted home.
by SID
last edit: Apr 12, 2021, 07:00 pm
Alexander Zverev is only a short walk from his apartment to the beautiful grounds of the Monte-Carlo Country Club. Germany's best tennis player has had his center of life in the Principality for a long time - the Masters in Monaco at the start of the clay court season is therefore a real highlight year after year.
"It's special to be at home, that's not often the case," said the 23-year-old once about the tournament in the city-state of the rich and beautiful: "It's nice to have family and friends around you. And the stadium has the most beautiful view of the tour. "
The glitter of the Mediterranean Sea does not distract Zverev's gaze from the essentials - the world number six is thirsting for sporting success and has already proven this year with the tournament victory in Acapulco / Mexico that he can be expected. This week, the US Open finalists from last year have to quickly adjust to the changed game on clay.
Zverev with five tournament wins on clay
It is the surface on which he grew up. Zverev won five of his 14 tournament victories, including two Masters victories in Rome and Madrid in 2017 and 2018. At the climax of the clay court season in Paris, which starts on May 30 this year, the service giant made it to the quarter-finals twice.
Too little for the claims of Zverev, who continues to chase his big dream. "My goal remains the same, namely to win the Grand Slams on the big stages of the tour," he said in Acapulco. For that he needs more sense of achievement, a lot of self-confidence, and the strong tournament in Monte Carlo offers a good opportunity to build this up. In the first round, the native of Hamburg still has a bye, then the first unpleasant task awaits in Marton Fucsovics (Hungary) or the newly crowned Cagliari winner Lorenzo Sonego (Italy).
Back on track with Djokovic
If Zverev lives up to his role as a favorite, he could meet world number one Novak Djokovic (Serbia) in the quarter-finals, who, like Zverev and Russian world number two Daniil Medvedev , lives in Monaco and last defeated him five times in a row. But first, Zverev has to earn the duel.
In the past few weeks he had stepped down on the tour after his early retirement from the Masters in Miami and canceled his participation in Marbella at short notice due to minor ailments. Instead, Zverev was spotted in Berlin with his ex-girlfriend Brenda Patea, who gave birth to their daughter Mayla in March.
Here the single tableau in Monte Carlo
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