Davis Cup: Zverev:”Many people don’t really know me”

Before the start of the ATP finals in London, Alexander Zverev once again voiced his criticism of his Davis Cup cancellation. The 20-year-old Hamburg-based journalist complains that the coverage was too negative.

Zverev has identified a rather pessimistic attitude in Germany:”I have the feeling that people in our country prefer to focus on something negative. If I win a Masters title, it will be reported smaller than my Davis Cup cancellation,”said the third in the world ranking list to the news magazine Focus:”This has nothing to do with being offended, that’s just my feeling.”

The 20-year-old emphasized that he “has no problem with criticism at all”:”I myself am my sharpest critic. I always try to be thoroughly honest.”

Zverev, the son of Russian parents born in Hamburg, claimed that many people “do not really know him”. He has his ups and downs “like everyone else”, I’m struggling to deal better with my disappointments. It’s still all a great learning process to live this life at the age of 20 in professional tennis, on the public stage.”

It would be nice “if people would understand me, support me,”said Zverev. The Davis Cup player, who won five titles this season, was the first German to qualify for an ATP season finale since Rainer Schüttler (2003). Zverev’s first opponent on Sunday evening in London will be former US Open Champion Marin Cilic (Croatia).