Alexander Zverev performed a really intense season, profitable the Masters 1000 in Rome throughout the spring confirming he’s again on the high after his horrible ankle damage in 2022. With Rafael Nadal usually off the court docket and Novak Djokovic exhibiting early indicators of decline, many followers and insiders thought 2024 was the appropriate yr to see Sascha carry a Grand Slam title.
The German participant misplaced to Daniil Medvedev within the semifinal of the Australian Open, failing to capitalize on a lot of possibilities. The champion from Hamburg reached the ultimate on the French Open, the place he was two units forward of Carlos Alcaraz earlier than struggling a fierce comeback from the 21-year-old from Murcia.
On the Wimbledon Championships and the US Open Zverev was defeated by the identical opponent, Taylor Fritz, who was excellent at profiting from Sascha’s incapability to handle the strain. The 2020 US Open finalist had an excellent likelihood in New York after the untimely eliminations of Carlitos Alcaraz and Novak Djokovic within the first week, however failed to succeed in the ultimate towards Sinner taking part in a horrible match towards the American ace.
Though he’s again at an excellent stage, Alexander nonetheless appears removed from having the ability to undermine Sinner and Alcaraz. The German must take one other step to win a Grand Slam title and attain the highest of the ATP rating, having to enhance his psychological energy particularly within the decisive moments of the large tournaments.
Sascha feels higher
The World quantity 3 suffered from a foul pneumonia after the Laver Cup, an issue that prevented him from taking part in in Beijing and compelled him to a untimely defeat in Shanghai towards David Goffin. Zverev will probably be taking part in in Vienna this week, earlier than flying to Paris-Bercy for the ultimate Masters 1000 of the season.
It’ll actually take time, you must take the appropriate medicines, clear the lungs, it’s not a matter of some weeks. I hope to be 100% in Australia subsequent January” – the German ace stated earlier than the beginning of the Vienna ATP 500. “Now I really feel higher, however my lung drawback is just not gone, I’m nonetheless there. I nonetheless really feel a bit extra drained than I’m used to, however I used to be both taking a free season or taking part in as I can. The physician instructed me that if I play I can’t delay restoration or make it worse, so I’m glad to present 100% of what I’ve” – he added.
Zverev additionally mirrored on his season: “I really feel like my season was a bit in patches. I’ve had nice moments, I’ve had very steady moments I believe all through the start of the season. You recognize, then, in fact, the clay court docket season for me was nice, profitable Rome, making the finals of the French Open, in fact a really bitter finish to the top of the French Open, however that’s the way it goes.
I felt I used to be taking part in the very best tennis of my life on grass court docket this yr throughout Wimbledon till I obtained damage. I really feel like after the Olympics possibly my stage dropped a bit bit, however once more, I used to be bodily struggling, I used to be not wholesome. I didn’t know what it was. I had a really unhealthy cough for about two and a half months, which no one knew the place it got here from, and now at the very least we have now solutions. We all know what it was, we all know the place it got here from, so I’m glad about that. I undoubtedly had a bit little bit of a drop off in stage after the Olympics possibly a bit bit, so I’m hoping I can get again to high type once more.”
Some regrets
Though he is among the most profitable gamers of his era, many suppose that Alexander is an unfinished participant having by no means gained a Main title. The approaching yr will probably be essential for Sascha’s ambitions, as he won’t solely have to play at a continuing stage to lastly enter the historical past of this sport. The German champion performs effectively on all surfaces and has the appropriate weapons to carry crucial trophies, however he must present braveness that too usually lacked in probably the most prestigious tournaments.
Zverev desires of closing 2024 because the world quantity 2: “It could be nice to complete the yr as quantity 2 on the planet. I believe ending the yr as quantity 2 and beginning 2025 there can be superb. In fact, I do know that Carlos is taking part in an excellent tennis proper now and I do know that I’ve to be at my greatest to attain that purpose”.