Tennis star
Zverev’s new goals: Wimbledon and first place
Alexander Zverev is preparing for Wimbledon in Halle, Westphalia. Photo
© Matthieu Mirville/ZUMA Press Wire/dpa
The defeat in Paris hurt. But Alexander Zverev is looking ahead. After all, the tennis year still has a lot to offer.
The return to everyday tennis life after the bitter end in Paris began for Alexander Zverev with a welcome change. Around 40 children asked the Olympic champion a ton of questions at an event organized by his foundation.
The event in Halle, Westphalia, under the motto “Serve against diabetes”, was largely about dealing with the metabolic disease that Zverev has also had to deal with since he was a child. But the focus was also on sport, of course – and memories of the bitter five-set defeat in the final of the French Open against the Spaniard Carlos Alcaraz quickly came to mind.
Zverev was asked by a child what he still wanted to achieve in his career. And the answer was not long in coming. “I have actually won everything there is – except a Grand Slam title,” said Zverev. “I have been world champion. I have become Olympic champion, I have won all kinds of ATP tournaments. All I need is a major victory,” said the Hamburg native, who came very close a week ago in Paris and four years ago in New York. “I don’t want to end up as one of the most successful tennis players who has never won a Grand Slam.”
Focus on Wimbledon
Zverev will make his next attempt at Wimbledon at the beginning of July. This week, at the Terra Wortmann Open in Halle, he will try to get used to the grass, which he doesn’t particularly like. “It always takes a while, the change from clay to grass isn’t that easy,” said the 27-year-old, who will face Oscar Otte in the first round in Halle.
Zverev said he had put the bitter defeat in Paris behind him ahead of the German grass court classic. “I’m no longer interested in Paris. I have a job to do and goals to achieve this year. And I won’t achieve them if I keep thinking about Paris for weeks,” said Zverev. “The focus is now fully on Wimbledon.”
Look at the number one
In addition to the longed-for first Grand Slam title, Zverev has another goal in mind. In the annual rankings, he is in second place behind the new industry leader Jannik Sinner from Italy. “Of course, number one is a goal for me and a topic this year. It’s in my own hands if I keep playing well and continue to improve.”
Zverev used the past week to clear his head a bit. He had cancelled his participation in the tournament in Stuttgart. Instead, he was busy relaxing, playing golf and watching the European Championships. “The German game was fun, who wouldn’t,” said Zverev about the DFB team’s brilliant 5:1 win against Scotland at the start of the European Championships. “I wish we were always playing against Scotland now.”