Interview with Alexander Peya - "Kyrgios is still a long way from Sock"
Double ace Alexander Peya recently accompanied Dominic Thiem's comeback in Marbella as an expert for ORF. And hasn't lost sight of the big ATP tour either.
by Jens Huiber
last edit: Apr 09, 2022, 10:54 am
Alexander Peya has won 17 doubles titles on the ATP tour so far, the last in 2018 alongside Nikola Mektic. In the same year he won the mixed title at Wimbledon with Nicole Melichar, but injured his elbow towards the end of the season. Whether the Lower Austrian will return to the tour is an open question.
tennisnet : Mr. Peya. How are you right now?
Alexander Peya : I wouldn't say that I'm still working on my comeback, there were too many setbacks for that. At the end of 2021 I trained more intensively for a few weeks, but then very quickly had a small tear in my elbow again. Something like that throws you back a few months.
tennisnet : Let's look at the current developments on the ATP tour, especially at doubles. Her former partner Nikola Mektic dominated the scene with Mate Pavic until the Olympic victory in Tokyo 2021. After that, this run of success came to an abrupt end. Why?
Peya : That's the beauty, or not, of doubles: everything can change quickly, also due to the counting system with the champions tiebreaks. Many factors play a role, the most important of which is probably confidence in tight situations. Don't forget: Last year in Toronto, Mektic/Pavic stood in 16 won champions' tiebreaks out of 17. That is extremely unrealistic. Everything just went her way. And now it's the other way around too. In Indian Wells I saw them both against John Isner and Jack Sock, which of course is difficult from the point of view of the draw. In the match, Nikola and Mate led in the decision with a mini-break, but lacked that implicitness of last year. Up to the Olympics, the two embodied: "It will somehow go in our direction."
"I was surprised by John Isner's victory in Miami"
tennisnet : Don't the champions tiebreaks balance each other out over the weeks?
Peya : It's rare that these tiebreaks go fifty-fifty. But rather in big swings. As I said, it has a lot to do with self-confidence.
tennisnet : John Isner won in doubles in Indian Wells and Miami. Is it safe to assume that Isner might focus more on doubles to get back to the ATP Finals?
Peya : Basically, I don't think Isner thinks in terms of doubles at all. I was particularly surprised by the second title, the one in Miami. Individual players like to use Indian Wells because they have to go to Miami afterwards anyway. And then play the tournament concentrated to the end. That Isner then also does it in Miami: Hats off! Should Isner play one or two more tournaments with Sock, then they will already have a certain amount of points with this 1000. As a rule of thumb, however, you need around 3,500 points for the ATP final. There's still a lot missing.
tennisnet : Is Jack Sock already back at the level that made him one of the best doubles players in the world?
Peya : For me Jack Sock was always the best. Because he brings a lot with him. With his serve, but above all with his forehand, he has weapons that can hardly be defended in doubles. He always finds gaps somewhere on the pitch. And even if you don't see it that way sometimes: He is very athletic and fast. And understands the game very well. It is not always correct if one assumes optimal positioning. But Jack makes up for a lot with his anticipation. If he can prepare for his forehand, he can find angles that other players can't. And that with a power - you're under a lot of pressure as an opponent.
“Bolelli and Fognini understand the double very well”
tennisnet : Sock played with Nick Kyrgios in Houston this week. Is Kyrgios as far as Sock after winning doubles with Thanasi Kokkinakis at the Australian Open?
Peya : Between Sock and Kyrgios there is still a bit in between. With Kyrgios, for me it's even more the serve that makes him incredibly strong. And also his attitude, which might make things difficult for him elsewhere. But he's completely relaxed, doesn't let any pressure hit him. How relaxed he served the Australian Open! He doesn't think about anything for a second. Nevertheless, Jack Sock is still a lot more unpleasant in terms of the game system.
tennisnet : Wesley Koolhof and Neal Skupski are the classic pair of doubles players who are playing best this year. Why do the two work so well?
Peya : The two have found each other well and have had a sensational season so far. And with extreme consistency. And what we mentioned about Pavic and Mektic comes into play: once the Werkl gets going, you float from tournament to tournament and win the close matches.
tennisnet : A word about Simone Bolelli and Fabio Fognini, who have performed very well this season. Do you see a second, maybe last, spring approaching for the two Italians?
Peya : The two can always be in the top eight doubles in the world because they have insane individual class. And now there are tournaments that will suit Bolelli and Fognini. They haven't played that many tournaments together in recent years, because Fognini was and is still very active individually. These are two excellent tennis players who understand doubles very well. Even on faster surfaces.