US Open: Alexander Zverev wants to grow in the trophy cabinet
Olympic gold, victory at the Cincinnati Masters - and now the first Grand Slam title? Alexander Zverev goes to the US Open in top form and with great ambitions.
by SID / red
last edit: Aug 27, 2021, 08:02 pm
Alexander Zverev is already well prepared for a valuable souvenir from New York. The German placed the Tokyo gold medal in his apartment in Monaco in the middle of the trophy cabinet, “where you can see it nicely”. But besides, he recently said with a meaningful smile, there was enough space for more trophies: "You know which one I mean."
Of course, Zverev would love to decorate his four walls with the long-awaited first Grand Slam trophy after the Olympic victory. And at the US Open, which starts on Monday, his chances are better than ever, the 24-year-old is in top form. Where he suffered his bitterest defeat last year, he now wants to celebrate his sweetest victory.
A knot has now burst for Becker
He does not want to be distracted by the new serious allegations of his ex-girlfriend Olga Scharypova about alleged physical and psychological violence during their 13-month relationship. These are "defamatory and untrue," said Zverev on Friday via Twitter: "I categorically deny having abused Olga." His lawyers were entrusted with the case, he himself did not want to comment on this matter. Clear message: full focus on the sporty.
If Boris Becker has his way, Olympic gold can be the decisive breast loosener for Zverev. “A knot broke for me,” said the German sports idol on Friday in a media panel on the TV broadcaster Eurosport. The 53-year-old now thinks Zverev is “really capable of achieving great things in New York”.
The top favorite at the US Open is still Grand Slam record winner Novak Djokovic, "but in second place comes Sascha Zverev," said the six-time major champion Becker. Because on the way to gold in Tokyo, Zverev not only beat Djokovic, who was apparently indomitable this season, with the title at the ATP Masters 1000 tournament in Cincinnati, the Hamburg-based man confirmed his dazzling form.
Zverev is keeping a low profile before the US Open
"He knows deep down: He is perhaps on the best run of his career," said Becker: "And why should this run in New York stop?" Zverev himself, however, holds back with loud declarations of war. Wimbledon winner Djokovic is still the favorite, emphasized the German number one: "I think he will play incredible tennis."
Zverev could meet the Serbian dominator in the semifinals - and, like in Tokyo, become a stumbling block on his historic title hunt. After all, Djokovic is only missing the title in New York to be the first man since Rod Laver to perfect the so-called Grand Slam, winning all four major tournaments in a calendar year.
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But the look back also gives courage to the fourth in the world rankings. "Last year I didn't expect anything from me before the US Open," said Zverev. In the end he was in the final against the Austrian Dominic Thiem, leading 2-0 sets, but then lost very tightly. Only two points were missing from the first Grand Slam title of his career.
Twelve months later, Zverev is bursting with confidence. And that has always meant an increase in the trophy cabinet in Monaco.