German world No.5 Alexander Zverev believes his collaboration with Ivan Lendl is going according to plan as the season approaches its climax.
The 21-year-old appointed the former world No.1 to his team shortly before the US Open. Lendl is an eight-time grand slam champion who once won 66 consecutive matches indoors on the ATP World Tour. After retiring from the sport, the Czech became the coach of Andy Murray twice. Guiding the Brit between 2012-2014 and 2016-2017.
“He has proven his skills as a player and then as coach of Andy Murray. His experience is very helpful for me.” Zverev told Swiss media about Lendl.
“It works fine so far. We are still a bit in the honeymoon phase in our partnership. That’s why everything is wonderful.” He added.
Since the start of the US Open, Zverev has won six out of nine matches played on the tour. During the Asian swing, he reached the semifinals of the Shanghai Rolex Masters, but suffered a shock second round loss at the Beijing Open. Nevertheless, the German has already qualified for the ATP World Tour Finals in London, which will take place next month. It will be Zverev’s second consecutive appearance at the event.
On the tour, Zverev has to balance the burden of expectation. Billed by some players as a future world No.1, he is yet to score a breakthrough in the grand slams. His best performance to date is a run to the quarter-finals of the French Open. Growing up in a country that has produced some of the best tennis players of all time, Zverev is in no hurry for a rapid rise to the top.
“We had incredible tennis players in Germany. Boris Becker has gained a lot. Steffi Graf has won everything. That’s why (the public are) focusing more on the Grand Slams and the No.1 (position) in the world in Germany. You forget quickly, that I’m only 21 years old and have much ahead of me.” He explained.
This week Zverev will be gunning for his 10th ATP title at the Swiss Indoors, where he is seeded second in the draw behind eight-time champion Roger Federer. It is his first appearance in the tournament since 2014. On that occasion he bowed out in the first round to Grigor Dimitrov.
“I got a wild card in Basel four years ago when I was 17 years old. That’s why I really wanted to come back here again. Just to thank the tournament director.” Zverev said.
“It’s an incredibly strong tournament. I want to stay here for a while and hope I’ll play here a few more times.”
Zverev will start his campaign in Basel on Wednesday when he takes on Robin Haase. A player who he lost to at the Cincinnati Masters earlier this year.
