US Open 2021: Alexander Zverev - "I feel that I'm very close to a major triumph"
After his semi-final at the US Open,Alexander Zverev is optimistic about the future.
by Jörg Allmeroth
last edit: Sep 12, 2021, 01:55 pm
As a contrite, mortally sad loser, Alexander Zverev did not want to leave the US Open and New York. When he talked about his semi-final defeat against front man Novak Djokovic (6: 4, 2: 6, 4: 6, 6: 4, 2: 6) on Saturday night, there was also a little pride about the Grand Slam tournament weeks and in general this tennis summer for the 24-year-old German: “At the moment I'm one of the two or three best tennis players in the world,” said Zverev, “there are only a few small things that decide in these big matches. I feel like I'm very close to a major triumph. "
In fact, Zverev's guest appearance at the Open American Championships in 2021 was only formally and statistically a step backwards. Last year the German frontman failed only in the final, at that time he was two points short of triumphing against his Austrian friend Dominic Thiem. Now he lost in the semifinals against the human machine Djokovic, but could not accuse himself of more than a sleepy start in the fifth set and a little too little determination beforehand in the third act in the contested game against the dominant player in the industry. “I still fully arrived at Grand Slam tennis,” said Zverev, who had not completely lost his sense of humor despite having failed in the last few meters: “It just feels as if the girlfriend you have loved for years is with me breaks up with you. "
Zverev convinced on the way to the semifinals with a previously unknown effectiveness and consistency in a Grand Slam appearance. The top German professional played success-oriented tennis on good and bad days, which was based heavily on the improved serve. The 24-year-old's new self-confidence and greater security after the golden Olympic mission could be seen at every turn. He has never had less doubts “that Zverev will soon win a Grand Slam title,” said 2003 New York winner Andy Roddick, now one of the best observers of the tennis business, “it is impressive how he is playing his game now can almost always prevail. "
Djokovic, the master of attrition, will not escape Zverev anytime soon. At the next Grand Slam meeting in Melbourne, the 34-year-old Serb is, so to speak, on home territory, in his Australian oasis of wellbeing he is the lonely record winner with nine titles. “He's just the best player in the world under pressure. You have to acknowledge that, "said Zverev," and yet I believe more than ever in the chance of being able to grab him with a major. "
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