Hopman Cup: Angelique Kerber and Alexander Zverev are ready for the start of the season
For Angelique Kerber and Alexander Zverev, the new tennis year begins in the old one. At the possibly last Hopman Cup in Perth the German top duo wants to win the title.
by tennisnet / SID
last edit:
Dec 29, 2018, 01:42 pm
Alexander Zverev had an early start to the new year. The hamburger landed in Perth, Australia two days before Christmas Eve. Just don't waste any time preparing for the upcoming season, which may start for the last time with the Hopman Cup on Friday. Wimbledon champion Angelique Kerber floated to the unofficial mixed World Cup on the second Christmas day.
Zverev just feels comfortable in Perth
"I obviously like it here, which is why I always come here so early to prepare," said Zverev well after the first few days of training. At the same time, he made the biggest headlines on site with an interview: he criticized the fact that a tie break is now also played in the decisive set at the Australia Open (from January 14) (at a score of 6: 6, up to 10 points).
Since Wednesday, the ubiquitous Zverev has at least shared the attention in the Western Australian metropolis. Then Roger Federer landed in Perth and immediately provided colorful pictures: Federer trying to pick up a wriggling lobster, Federer flying a helicopter, Federer playing tennis at the Pinnacles in Nambung National Park. It didn't look like hard work.
Zverev, on the other hand, has been working for days - initially for the opening match against Spain with Garbine Muguruza and David Ferrer on Sunday. The other opponents in Group A are the teams from France (January 2) and Australia (January 4). Federer plays in Group B with Belinda Bencic as in the previous year and on New Year's Day initially against the USA with Serena Williams. In January, the Swiss Kerber and Zverev defeated in the final. The revenge could occur on January 5.
"Sascha" wants to have fun: "Enjoy tennis as much as possible"
For Zverev, the new season is in the foreground. The Hopman Cup, which may be replaced by the planned ATP Cup after 31 years, is the "perfect preparation" for the Australian Open in Melbourne. His goals for the new year? Enjoying his job: "I want to enjoy tennis as much as possible. I also want to enjoy tennis as much as possible at the Grand Slams. We'll see how the year starts."
Zverev still has some catching up to do in the Grand Slams. He has not progressed beyond the quarter-finals of this year's French Open. But he continues to give the impression that great success is only a matter of time: "I have improved every year now. There is still a lot that I have to improve." He is number four in the world, but has not yet exhausted his potential.
Kerber on the top of the world rankings: "A highlight" if she does it again
Kerber has certainly succeeded in doing this by jumping to number one in the world rankings and not least winning in Wimbledon. But it also has goals, as the FAZ has just revealed. "Of course it would be a highlight if I managed to become number one again," she said. And: The French Open in Paris was "a big goal, the Grand Slam tournament, which I have not yet won".