Alexander Zverev is again on the highest stage and it was not a foregone conclusion after the intense ankle harm he suffered on the 2022 French Open. The German champion was taking part in his greatest tennis on the time and had reached the semifinals in Paris, the place he was placing a legend like Rafael Nadal in nice problem on the enduring Philippe Chatrier.
A severe ankle harm not solely prevented him from ending the match towards Rafa, however compelled him to bear surgical procedure and a really lengthy interval of rehabilitation. Many gamers wouldn’t return to compete on the highest stage after such a severe harm, however Sascha by no means gave up and succeeded in his purpose due to the assistance of his group (and his stunning household).
Zverev© Alexander Zverev/Instagram
2024 was the 12 months that sanctioned the definitive ‘rebirth’ of Zverev, who ended the season in second place within the ATP rating due to his glorious consistency. The champion from Hamburg doesn’t typically have his curse in Grand Slam tournaments, dropping the Roland Garros last to Carlos Alcaraz and lacking two essential probabilities on the Australian Open and the US Open, however he has proven that he’s not removed from that purpose.
Sascha – who received two Masters 1000 in 2024 (Rome and Paris-Bercy) – modified his method within the second half of the 12 months, adopted a extra aggressive angle from the baseline and appeared extra assured in his talents. It’s no coincidence that Alexander has surpassed Alcaraz within the ATP rating due to his ends in the latter a part of the season. The German ace – who will begin his 2025 on the United Cup – is intent on reaching even higher outcomes subsequent season.
Zverev has been training arduous in latest weeks and can attempt to win the Australian Open, wherein he would be the quantity 2 seed. The 2024 French Open finalist will solely be capable of face World No.1 Jannik Sinner within the last.
A horrible harm
Throughout an extended interview together with his sponsor ‘Head’, the present World No.2 recalled his severe harm on the 2022 French Open: “I mean, 2022 at the French Open was the toughest moment of my career.
Alexander Zverev, ATP Finals 2024© Stream screenshot
I was one match away from being world No 1, playing probably the best tennis of my life against the greatest clay court player to ever live in Rafael Nadal.
“And it was a tough moment for me, because even if I lose the match, right, it’s Nadal – anything could happen. You can lose at the French Open to him, I mean everybody has lost to him before. So it’s not a surprise, even if you lose.
But, knowing in the back of my mind I need to win one match within three months to become world No 1, that was difficult for me.
And obviously being in a cast and not being able to not only play, but just simply to walk and do daily things, that was tough.”
Sascha desires extra
The German champion understood that he needed to change one thing in his sport with a view to defeat two very robust opponents like Sinner and Alcaraz. The Italian and Spaniard are dominating the lads’s tour and have equally cut up the 4 Main titles in 2024. Jannik received the Australian Open and the US Open, whereas Carlitos prevailed at Roland Garros and Wimbledon.
Alexander Zverev, ATP Finals 2023© Stream screenshot
Zverev is without doubt one of the few gamers who has the talents to beat these two younger champions, however he wants additional enchancment to achieve this feat in probably the most prestigious tournaments. Sascha nonetheless feels an excessive amount of strain in Grand Slam tournaments and struggles to make the best selections within the decisive rounds, as was evident particularly on the 2024 US Open. Alexander – finalist in New York in 2020 – had an excellent likelihood after the untimely eliminations of Alcaraz and Nole Djokovic within the first week. Nonetheless, the present world No. 1 didn’t handle his nerves in the easiest way and performed a horrible match towards Taylor Fritz within the quarterfinals. Followers and insiders anticipate the German to develop on this side in 2025.
Not like Sinner and Alcaraz, Sascha determined to not take part within the Davis Cup Finals in Malaga on the finish of final season. The 2020 US Open finalist instantly started preparation for 2025, which is able to start as early because the United Cup on the finish of December for him. Zverev will use that occasion to get into the best rhythm forward of the 2025 Australian Open, a event that fits his sport very properly and wherein he got here near reaching the ultimate this 12 months (dropping to Russian ace Daniil Medvedev with massive regrets). The German may actually go away everybody speechless.
