Zverev new course: foreclosure and simple truths
Things went better after Alexander Zverev's cell phone fell victim to an accident in Rome. But what's next with super coach Ivan Lendl?
by Jörg Allmeroth from Paris
last edit: May 29, 2019, 06:45 pm
Alexander Zverev was recently in a shuttle car at the Masters tournament in Rome when a serious incident occurred. The driver of the car suddenly braked so hard on the way to the hotel that Zverev's beloved cell phone crashed to the ground. And was over. Zverev, however, did not run to the next shop to get a replacement. He decided to take a radical step, typical of his current phase of life. No new cell phone, no more connections under any number, instead absolute concentration on the essentials, on tennis and nothing else. "It is good not to have to deal with a thousand things on the phone," says Zverev.
The 22-year-old from Hamburg makes his world easier in every respect, not unusual for someone who is in trouble. And who is fighting the biggest crisis of his young professional career. Zverev's world has turned black and white, a world of simple truths and wisdom, you could also see and hear it in Paris - all about his painful five-set marathon victory on Tuesday against brave Australian John Millman. In short: winning and reconnecting with the strongest is all for Zverev, nothing else matters. And "losing is crap". Point. Out. That he sifted another two-set lead, unduly struggled against the outsider from the other end of the world, was "not decisive at the end of the day," says Zverev, "I just want to win games." and wasted energy in the four-hour marathon? Not too tragic for Zverev: “I'm still in the tournament. I'm not worried about my physique. "
It continues with "Lawn Lover" Lendl
Zverev should actually go a little deeper and more detailed with the man who is at his side as a so-called super coach. Better: should stand. Because Ivan Lendl, the grim old master, did not show up for the Grand Slam mission in Team Zverev in Paris either. Zverev defended itself on Tuesday against those who had already speculatively declared the end of the partnership. However, the explanation for Lendl's absence sounded strange - after Zverev's short start to the tournament in Geneva made it impossible to complete training sessions, the decision was made that Lendl would only fly in for the lawn season. It was, as scoffers noted, the reversal of Lendl's former practice as a player. Back then he was the sand court expert par excellence, while lawn was considered to be a surface "for cows."
# BETATHOMEFO #
But the question of what sense the alliance between the champion of the 80s and the German hope bearer made - if the supposed strategist was not nearby in the most challenging weeks of Zverev's career - was still a serious question. And command led to Zverev's troop. He talks to Lendl a lot on the phone, people also watch videos together, Zverev had recently explained, "There is already regular contact." But the long-distance relationship could certainly not replace the on-site coaching, personal discussions, working with the whole Zverev company. Troop - especially not in the sporty, tense weather situation. "This is not an optimal situation for Sascha," said a top European coach, well familiar with the tennis company Zverev, "I think that Lendl is quite lacking here."
Zverev defiantly wants to handle the matter in Paris alone, without the part-time partner Lendl. After the opening success, he also said that he had somehow been the boss of his career for some time, making decisions on his own. He hides everything that could be harmful, even what is written and talked about him in the worlds of the Internet, in social media. “If you want to reach me, you have to call others first. My parents, my brother, "says Zverev," and then I decide who I want to talk to. "There are" not many conversations these days, "says Zverev. Then to emphasize again that only one thing is relevant, the next game, the next victory. In Paris now against 20-year-old Swede Mikael Ymer.