World No. 4 Alexander Zverev has revealed his goal for the 2018 season. Zverev, who won two Masters 1000 tournaments in 2017, is now eying a Grand Slam title next year.
Zverev, who is considered the natural heir of Swiss great Roger Federer, had a remarkable 2017. From No. 24 to No. 4 in the world rankings his rise was almost unexpected. Not only he succeeded in cracking the top-5 on the ATP’s charts, but also showed his mettle by beating 12-time Grand Slam winner Novak Djokovic in the final of the Rome Masters and then Federer in the Montreal Masters.
However, what came as a huge disappointment for the German was his failure to reach the quarterfinal stage of any of the four Majors. And the 20-year-old is determined to correct that wrong in 2018.
“I had a goal for last year, and (didn’t tell) the media about it until I achieved my goal,” Zverev said.
“Last year was making London – finishing inside the top-eight was my goal.
“Some people thought I was crazy when I told them that at the beginning of the year.
“I was No 24 in the world. My team wasn’t saying it was impossible but they were kind of laughing about it a little bit.
“This year I have a goal as well, and I’m going to keep it to myself for now.
“It’s not a ranking related one.”
After a lot of prodding, Zverev finally hinted at his secret goal for 2018.
“This (grand slam success) is what we all work for,” he said.
“This is what we are all here for … to be able to compete in the biggest tournaments in the world.
“I’ve won two Masters series, so I’ve won a few big tournaments.
“But obviously the grand slams are still another step forward.”
Alexander will kick start his new season at the Hopman Cup, which begins in Perth on December 31.
