ATP Rotterdam: Alexander Zverev - There's a lot going on in the box
Alexander Zverev moved into the second round of the ATP Tour 500 tournament in Rotterdam yesterday, Tuesday, where he meets local hero Tallon Griekspoor (live on Sky from 9 p.m. today and in our live ticker). There were also a few new faces in the Zverev box in the win against Sonwoo Kwon.
by Jens Huiber
last edit:
Feb 14, 2023, 06:15 pm
He trains better than he plays, that's what Alexander Zverev put on record after his opening win against Soonwoo Kwon in Rotterdam. This also has to do with the fact that during training there is the opportunity to get input from outside immediately. Well: The number of people who can and should contribute this input is growing in the Zverev team. As is also shown in Rotterdam.
Sergi Bruguera is probably the head coach, the almost legendary Spaniard has been on board for a little longer. Just like Sergej Bubka junior, who primarily takes care of business, but himself was on the threshold of a successful tennis career. Tobias Kamke is new. The 36-year-old is still topped in the ATP charts, although position 846 suggests that Kamke's career, which has peaked at 64th place, is slowly coming to an end. Last year, however, the former Davis Cup player was still reasonably active on the ATP Challenger Tour.
Also new: Dalibor Sirola, who is supposed to take care of Zverev's fitness.
Zverev in the quarterfinals against Rune?
There were no problems with the 6: 4 and 7: 6 (4) against Kwon. And a possible weakness of Alexander Zverev - namely his second serve - did not prove to be such on Tuesday afternoon. Kwon nailed a return into the field from time to time, but Zverev made no double mistakes. So don't give away any points.
Now it's up against Tallon Griekspoor, a player whom Zverev would certainly have beaten with a focused performance before his injury. But concentration is probably not enough these days. Against Kwon, the German number one often placed too far behind the baseline, leaving the game design to the Koreans, especially as a setback. Alexander Zverev can perhaps still afford such an approach against Tallon Griekspoor. But not in a possible quarter-final against Holger Rune. This will also be conveyed to him by his now even larger coaching staff.