Boris Becker on Alexander Zverev: Melbourne "was a quantum leap"
Boris Becker's entry into Germany's number one Alexander Zverev at the Australian Open in Melbourne could have been a landmark success in his career. There Zverev had lost to Dominic Thiem .
by SID / red
last edit: Feb 17, 2020, 10:43 am
"It was a quantum leap for him," said the 52-year-old three-time Wimbledon winner at a Mercedes-Benz event on the sidelines of the Laureus Awards ceremony in Berlin.
In the run-up to the first Grand Slam tournament, Zverev "did not train enough, he came to Brisbane unprepared for the tournament". Becker admitted that he took Zverev to his chest: "I found clear words." Zverev's outbursts of anger in Brisbane were also a thorn in his side. Becker, Head of Men's Tennis at the German Tennis Association (DTB): "He has respect for me. He took my words to heart and grew up a bit." In Brisbane, after one and a half good sets against Alex de Minaur, Zverev had lost the thread and not only lost the match against the Australian, but also the following two against Stefanos Tsitsipas and Denis Shapovalov.
Becker is happy about the women's tournament
Becker rates the fact that a WTA tournament in Berlin - on grass - will take place from June 13th to 21st this year as "very positive". "It is time for big women's tennis to come to Berlin again," Becker emphasized to journalists. The facility with the Steffi Graf stadium, which can accommodate up to 7,000 spectators, will have three grass pitches. Three more places will be created in the immediate vicinity in the Olympic Park. The former world number one Angelique Kerber (Kiel) and Julia Görges (Bad Oldesloe) have already given their acceptance.