This year’s Australian Open was a bitter experience for Alexander Zverev, but it was also the place where he received some valuable advice from his idol.
Despite his young age, the 20-year-old has already been described as the next big thing in tennis. Portrayed as a potential leader when the era of the illustrious ‘big four’ comes to an end. Last year Zverev illustrated his potential by winning two Masters 1000 titles. It is an honour to receive such high praise, but there are also drawbacks for the German. Who believes the media places too much pressure on him at times.
“I understand that everybody thinks I have to win a Slam within the next three months otherwise it’s a disaster for me.” He joked with reporters in Indian Wells.
“But to be very honest, I think the pressure comes a little bit from you guys (the media) as well, everybody keeps talking about the Grand Slams in our sport but obviously I’ve won two Masters so I know what it takes to win big tournaments, I know what it takes to beat the best players in the big tournaments.”
Grand slams are very much an achilles heel for the world No.5. He is yet to progress to the quarter-finals of a major in 11 attempts. At the Australian Open he crashed out to Hyeon Chung in the third round, who went on to reach the semifinals. It was a bittersweet loss for Zverev, who has since praised the talent of his opponent.
Picking up the pieces of his loss, Zverev was supported by an unexpected person – Roger Federer. In the Melbourne locker room, he was approached by the 20-time grand slam champion, who offered him some words of encouragement. Zverev grew up idolising Federer and has described him as one of the greatest players of all time. They have faced each on the court five times with the world No.1 leading their head-to-head 3-2.
“I didn’t expect it. I was on my bench in the locker room and he’s actually on the other side of the locker room there,” Zverev remembered.
“He came up talking to me, I was obviously really upset, I was bummed out, losing a five-set match in a Grand Slam is never easy, especially I knew I was actually playing alright.
“It’s obviously very encouraging. He told me a little bit of a story that the first time he got past the quarters he was already 22 years old. So for me that was very encouraging, he’s the greatest player of all-time and he told me something like that, that he never passed the quarters until he was 22.
“And I’m only 20 years old. In that case I still have time to win a few majors I’m guessing. For me it’s more about winning matches and winning big titles until I get there.”
According to Zverev, Federer’s advice is part of an ongoing mission by him to pass on his experience to the next generation of the tour. Citing the Swiss players support of Grigor Dimitrov. The advice isn’t just generic, Federer has previously advised Zverev about some of his technical play.
“We know that he wants to pass on his knowledge to the guys that he thinks are going to be great as well. He’s done it on a few occasions, he’s done it with Grigor [Dimitrov] a little bit when he was a bit younger,” he elaborated.
“He’s doing it with me a little bit now, he’s trying to talk to me, he’s trying to give me advice, even in practice when he sees something that I should do differently, like play a shot in a different way, he tells me.”
The season starts now
After what has been a roller coaster couple of months on the tour, Zverev has declared that Indian Wells is when the season ‘really stars.’ The Californian tournament is the first of nine Masters 1000 events to take place in 2018. Seeded fourth in the draw, he is hoping to capitalize on his recent run to the semifinals of the Mexican Open in Acapulco.
“I feel like the year has barely started,” he said. “I’ve played three tournaments so far. For me, this is where this season really starts. The first Masters [1000], the first big ATP tournament that we have. I feel like I’m playing really good again and feel ready to play with anyone and for me that’s the most important thing coming into a big event like this.”
Zverev, who has a first round bye, will get his campaign underway against either Joao Sousa or Mikhail Youzhny.