Zverev and Kerber at the US Open: In crisis mode in the last Grand Slam spectacle
There were tennis times when there was no particular complaint about this situation: Alexander Zverev , the best German tennis player, was number 6 on the seed list at the US Open. And Angelique Kerber , the best German tennis player, was number 14 on the seed list. Everything is relative, in late summer 2019 you will find this classification more as an indication of relegation, of crisis, at best for stagnation.
by Jörg Allmeroth from New York
last edit: Aug 26, 2019, 08:53 am
Especially when you consider where the two German frontmen come from, where they were last year when the last Grand Slam tournament of the season began. Kerber traveled as the proud Wimbledon Queen , and also with the nimbus of the former winner of the New York spectacle, she was, of course, one of the co-favorites. Zverev could also be counted among the wider circle of possible cup winners, between Wimbledon and the US Open he had even won a title in Washington back then.
But wherever you look in German tennis this season, whether to the second or third row or just to the front people, there is little to see or be encouraging. Nothing has remained of the spirit of optimism that had spread at the beginning of the year - a season start with Kerber as incumbent Wimbledon winner and Zverev as ATP world champion - including players like Julia Görges, who in the meantime, apart from the big headlines about Kerber, made it into the top ten had fought and conquered a semi-final at Wimbledon, fell significantly behind.
The drop in performance also left its mark in terms of personnel: Kerber and coach Rainer Schüttler separated after the Wimbledon disaster of the 32-year-old from Kiel, Zverev's super coach Ivan Lendl frustrated after internal quarrels with father Zverev from the team. And Görges said goodbye to her longtime manager and trainer Michael Geserer. The year could actually only get better, Zverev recently commented in Montreal almost on behalf of the German tour group in the traveling circus.
Is Kerber ending her drought?
After the bankruptcy, bad luck and breakdown series, almost overwhelming hopes for the US Open, for this always slightly chaotic, at least rather exhausting and hectic Grand Slam venue. The hope is that New York will bring about a turnaround and an ego boost for the rest of the season. Zverev and Kerber are still keeping an eye on the season's final tournaments, with Zverev's chances far greater than Kerber's.
For the 22-year-old from Hamburg, it is also about opening up an opportunity to defend his title in London. "It would be very annoying to just be able to watch," says Zverev. However, he would have to advance deep into the second week of the US Open and also earn strong points in the autumn tournament series in Asia and then in Europe. Zverev, who will meet Moldovan Radu Albot in round one in New York in the coaching question, wants to take more time, he sees no urgent need for action, after all, father Alexander is by his side.
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Kerber also continues to pursue points as sole proprietor, she. It probably also takes enough time to position yourself properly for the last few years of your career. Kerber's year has so far been largely lost, especially in the Grand Slams, the 31-year-old lacked any punch. In Wimbledon, she last played without any persuasiveness and inspiration. Everything seemed almost inevitable, as if a strong year had to be followed by a mediocre to bad year - after all, Kerber has a reputation as a mountain and valley driver. Now she has to tackle the challenge of ending the drought and somehow saving the season from a place beyond the top ten, difficult enough with the growing competition. Her first opponent, the 26-year-old French woman Kiki Mladenovic, is anything but walking customers.
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Lichtblick Struff: The goal is the top 20
Little has moved behind the two top players of the DTB this season, and if so, rather in the wrong direction. Many veteran professionals like Philipp Kohlschreiber fell behind, younger players did not move up. No wonder that the DTB's line-up looks leaner than lush in New York.
However, there is a commendable exception, a splash of color in the sadness - and who would have thought it is Jan-Lennard Struff, the giant Westphalian. Further and further the tower from Warstein fought its way to the top of the world, in New York it missed a place in the seed list by only two positions. Struff got better because he had the courage to change. Reinvent yourself. He feels he is the only winner of this tennis season so far. "My next big goal is to get into the top 20," says Struff. Little is now impossible with him.
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