Alexander Zverev has performed very constant tennis in 2024, ending second within the ATP rating behind Jannik Sinner. The German champion has had decrease peaks than Carlos Alcaraz – who turned the youngest ever to win Roland Garros and Wimbledon in the identical yr – however has reached not less than the spherical of 16 in all of the Masters 1000 tournaments he has performed.
The participant from Hamburg has gained two Masters 1000 – in Rome and Paris-Bercy – overtaking Alcaraz within the ATP rating within the final a part of the season. Sascha’s 2024 was very satisfying, however to change into wonderful he would have needed to win a Grand Slam title.
The German ace has had a number of possibilities within the Main tournaments this yr, however he has not proven the correct psychological energy to lastly overcome this impediment. It is no secret that Grand Slam tournaments have change into one thing of a curse for Sascha, particularly after his remaining loss to Dominic Thiem on the US Open in 2020.
In 2024, Alexander reached the ultimate on the French Open – during which he was forward two units to at least one in opposition to Alcaraz – earlier than succumbing to the younger Spaniard’s comeback. On the Australian Open he had stopped in opposition to Daniil Medvedev within the semifinals (lacking a number of possibilities), whereas on the Wimbledon Championships and the US Open he misplaced to Taylor Fritz (who additionally defeated him on the Nitto ATP Finals in Turin).
The loss in opposition to American ace Fritz in New York was most likely essentially the most critical of his season, as a result of the German actually had an amazing likelihood at Flushing Meadows. The untimely eliminations of Carlitos Alcaraz and Novak Djokovic within the first week had simplified his run, however Sascha as soon as once more struggled to handle the stress and management his nerves.
Within the latter a part of the yr, the world No.2 stepped up his apply periods and commenced to have a extra aggressive angle on the court docket. Zverev is aware of he must be braver if he needs to lastly elevate a Main trophy in 2025.
Zverev feedback on his 2024
Sascha’s new season will begin very quickly, as he might be one of many protagonists of the United Cup along with his Germany. The German ace has determined to skip the 2024 Davis Cup Finals in Malaga exactly to start out his preparation and could have as his important aim the Australian Open, scheduled at Melbourne Park from 12 to 26 January.
In an extended interview with ‘Tennis Magazin’, Zverev analyzed his 2024 season intimately: “I had a really secure season, apart from the few tournaments the place I had actual bodily issues.
I used to be one set away from profitable Roland Garros. I nonetheless assume and I stand by it that I performed my greatest tennis at Wimbledon this yr, for the primary time in my profession.
I’ve by no means performed as properly on grass as I did earlier than my harm. That was very, very bitter for me as a result of I actually noticed the alternatives for the primary time in my life on grass.
I gained two Masters titles, I performed huge finals, however on the finish of the day I wish to go one step additional.”
Sascha assaults the media
Just lately, the media all over the world reported the faux information of a heavy assault by Sascha in opposition to his former coach Ivan Lendl. Their collaboration has been over for a number of years now, with out acquiring the specified outcomes (excluding the victory on the 2018 ATP Finals in London). After this faux information went all over the world, the present world quantity 2 was compelled to a dry denial.
Alexander wrote: “So, apparently I gave an interview about my teaching relationship with Ivan Lendl lately, which isn’t true.
In truth, I’ve not spoken to anybody from the press since my basis occasion in Tannenhof sooner or later after Turin and I’ve not made any feedback about my teaching relationship with Ivan Lendl in additional than 5 years.
I perceive that everyone may be very bored proper now as a result of it’s the low season and never a lot is going on besides loads of onerous work, however this exhibits as soon as once more that some tales must be fully made up by very unhealthy journalism to maintain readers taken with made up drama… See u all quickly in Australia.”
The German champion is aware of that 2025 might be a vital yr for his profession. Regardless of the presence of two younger champions like Sinner and Alcaraz, Sascha should seize the chance to win a Grand Slam title.
The champion from Hamburg has the correct abilities to be harmful on all surfaces, together with purple clay and grass. The subsequent AO will instantly inform us that the trail taken is the correct one.
