Everything good with Alexander Zverev - except the tournament schedule?
Alexander Zverev's departure from the ATP Tour 250 tournament in Stuttgart against Dustin Brown is not a broken leg. Perhaps the German number one would have been better advised to take a break. As planned.
by Jens Huiber
last edit: Jun 14, 2019, 11:02 am
If Nick Kyrgios is in a good mood, and off the tennis court it doesn't happen that often, the Australian also shows fine humor on Twitter, seasoned with a good breeze of irony. When it was a few weeks ago, after Alexander Zverev's defeat in Barcelona against Nicolas Jarry, from American journalists, it was officially time to worry about Germany's number one, Kyrgios replied analogously: With all the problems in the world, Zverev's achievements are one of those topics that really shouldn't be taken too seriously.
In fact, there is hardly any reason to be concerned objectively: Zverev is healthy, as far as one can tell from the outside. Father Alexander sr. joined the team again after a short absence in Munich. In Stuttgart, in addition to Ivan Lendl, Olya Sharipova, the young lady whose relationship status with Alexander jr. was "off" for a short time. The many organizational things that Zverev has to deal with by arguing with manager Patricio Apey should also slowly get back on track. Especially since Brother Mischa Zverev told in Paris that there is no shortage of support for the current number five in the world. On the part of the family. But also through the ATP, especially when coordinating the appointments.
Dustin Brown doesn't give Alexander Zverev a rhythm
Sporty, as Alexander Zverev pointed out in Paris, not everything is bad either. After all, the Hamburg native is currently ninth in the Race to London. Won the tournament in Geneva, reached the quarterfinals against Novak Djokovic in Paris. It was there, however, that Zverev, after the defeat against the industry leader, spoke in the required length about the fact that he now urgently needs a break after eight tournament weeks in a row.
Less than 24 hours later, the press release from the MercedesCup in Stuttgart came out saying that they were happy to see Alexander Zverev.
There he failed in his first match. Against Dustin Brown, whom you really wouldn't want anyone to oppose on the lawn as a premier. Brown wasn't interested in giving Zverev rhythm - why should he? Zverev fought, scolded, dotted - but also distributed too many gifts. 14 double faults that Brown accepted with thanks. In contrast, there are 21 aces, which did not appear in the decisive phases of the third set. Too bad for Zverev, a little bit for the tournament at the TC Weissenhof, even if Dustin Brown is of course extremely entertaining. And this tournament could well win.
Only Karen Khachanov active this week
Of course, you still don't have to worry about Alexander Zverev. At the most, ask the question whether the tournament planning is appropriate to that of an absolute top player. Of the eight quarter-finalists in Paris, Roger Federer, Dominic Thiem, Rafael Nadal and Novak Djokovic take time off this week, Stan Wawrinka was too tired for Stuttgart, Kei Nishikori immediately canceled Halle due to an injury. Only Karen Khachanov was out of the last eight at Roland Garros this week. And against Matteo Berrettini at the MercedesCup no chance.
The next assignment for Alexander Zverev is planned in Halle / Westphalia, where he is generally one of the favorites. And now has a few days to roving in with Ivan Lendl again. And the good news: After that, there should finally be the longed-for break - because starting Zverev in Antalya or Birmingham in the week before Wimbledon can probably be ruled out. Probably.