The Olympic champion also wants to become world champion!
From today (9 p.m., Sky live) Alexander Zverev (24) will compete in Turin at the ATP finals, the tennis world championship. First opponent in his group: the Italian Matteo Berrettini (25).
The other opponents: Daniil Medvedev (25 / Russia) and Hubert Hurkacz (24 / Poland). Zverev has to finish second in the group to qualify for the semifinals.
It has been a long way to Turin this season – for the hamburger it is the 21st tournament in 2021. He has played over 70 games since January. He looked exhausted when he lost to Medvedev in the semi-final last week in Paris.
Zverev to BamS: “Yes, I’m mentally tired, but I know: It’s the last tournament and a highlight. You want to show your best tennis that motivates you. I’m doing great again! “
How does his mental fatigue show? Zverev: “Everyday life is very tedious: training, warming up, these little things. No other sport has a longer season than tennis. “
Therefore, he also calls for a reform of the calendar: “After the US Open, another Masters, a 500 tournament and the World Cup, then we’ll be finished at the end of October. The body needs two months to regenerate. “
Is not currently possible. After Turin, Zverev only treats himself to ten days of vacation in the Maldives. “More is not possible. I’ll start training again at the beginning of December. For a Grand Slam, three weeks are not enough to get in top shape. ”The Australian Open starts in mid-January.
And the number 3 in the world has big plans for 2022. “Next year I want to move a little further forward,” said Zverev. Means: become number 2 or even 1. “Titles and tournaments are more important, of course. But that goes hand in hand. You cannot become number 1 with just one Grand Slam title. But I’m turning 25, so a major title would certainly not come too early. “
It will also be important that he stays healthy. Zverev is vaccinated against Corona – a prerequisite for his participation in the Australian Open: “We are guests in this country and have to follow its rules. After all, we play in front of up to 20,000 people. “
Sophia Thomalla supports her Alex Zverev on site whenever she canPhoto: WITTERS
Does he feel safe on the tour? “I might play against unvaccinated people every day. Everyone has to decide for themselves what to do. “
It has not yet been decided whether girlfriend Sophia Thomalla (32) will be there in Turin, but it is very likely.
About the relationship, Zverev said on RTL: “She understands my life, I understand her life. We haven’t fought a single time in the time we’ve been together. “
By the way: Novak Djokovic (34) is the favorite for the title. Zverev has good memories of the World Cup. In 2018 he won the title in London. Opponent in the final at that time: Djokovic.