SYDNEY (AP) – DAYS TEN – Alexander Zverev didn’t let himself go long without a tennis racket during a short break.
Following her victory in the ATP Finals, the Olympic champion flew to the Maldives with her girlfriend Sofia Thomalla and parts of her family, but shortly after, third in the world rankings, resumed preparations for the new season. Because although Zverev has had the most successful year of his career so far – the 24-year-old is far from satisfied.
Number one in the world to see
Rather, Zverev has big plans for 2022. “I have two goals in front of me: of course, to win a Grand Slam and be number one in the world,” said the Hamburg man. He already has both on his mind at the Australian Open, which starts on January 17.
If current number one Novak Djokovic doesn’t actually start in Melbourne due to the required full vaccination against the coronavirus, Zverev could push the nine-time Melbourne winner down from the top of the world rankings in the case of his maiden Grand Slam. Title. “In Australia I have a chance to achieve both at the same time. So I hope it works out there,” Zverev said.
Start Beam ATP Cup
Djokovic has yet to comment on the status of his vaccinations and has canceled his participation in the ATP Cup starting New Year’s Day. Zverev has already reached Sydney. Along with Jan-Lenard Struff, Kevin Kravitz, Tim Putz and Yannick Hanfmann, he will compete in the third edition of the competition for Germany. The focus is not on the title with the team, but on optimal preparation for the Australian Open.
«I want to start the year well. I want to stay in shape and maybe get in better shape,” Zverev said last in a Sky interview. Since his disappointing knockout in the round of 16 at Wimbledon in June, he has lost only four games, in addition to gold at the Olympics, he has also won tournaments in Cincinnati, Vienna and the ATP Finals. “I couldn’t have played better tennis than I’ve been in the last six months,” Zverev said.
hard training in monte carlos
And yet he worked hard again in preparation in Monte Carlo. Many hours in the fitness center, a lot of time on the court – Zverev did not spare himself, despite numerous appointments such as the “Player of the Year” award. “During this time, the foundation is laid,” said tennis legend Boris Becker. “I think Novak, Daniil (Medvedev) and Sasha (Zverev) will also dominate next year.”
Zverev in Sydney will see how well he starts the new year. Germany’s number one will take on the world number 12 in the first game against Great Britain on Sunday. Cameron Nori. Prior to this, Struff and Daniel Evans play against each other. «We have a good group. They were in the Davis Cup semi-finals and I didn’t play,” Zverev said of the prospects in the ATP Cup. “We have a good pair and a good number two in Jan-Lenard. I think we have a very good chance.” Other adversaries are the United States and Canada. Only the winners of the four preliminary round groups advance to the semi-finals.
