Alexander Zverev is playing at the ATP Masters 1000 Tournament in Indian Wells with mixed feelings and has the chance to win another big title.
The Masters tournament in Indian Wells will be an unexpected endurance test for the best German tennis player. Alexander Zverev faces a major pressure situation in Indian Wells. The reason for this is the bad start to the season, which is still following the 20-year-old.
As number five in the world, Zverev will enter the tournament and be placed fourth after Rafael Nadal’s rejection. This position entails obligations. And pressure of expectation. With five titles from last year’s season, Zverev nurtured the hope in Germany that a new, successful era could dawn. Of course, two Masters titles and victories against the absolute top stars speak for themselves, but in recent weeks a blockade seems to have crept in. The callousness and carelessness are no longer as noticeable as they were against a Roger Federer in the Montréal final. Yeah, Federer wasn’t one hundred percent fit. Nevertheless, they are nevertheless highly respectful successes.
Zverev seems far from such a big coup at the moment. The riots and contradictory statements surrounding the separation of coach Juan Carlos Ferrero dominated the headlines even in the first days in the Californian desert. Ferrero had missed the 20-year-old’s discipline and complained about his late arrival, saying,”I’ve never been late for practice in my life,”Zverev defended himself.
The results at the beginning of the year also failed to materialize. In the Australian Open, Hyeon Chung was defeated in the third round, and Juan Martín del Potro stood in his way in Acapulco as he struggled to reach the final. Both opponents against whom defeat is not a broken leg. However, as number five in the world, such bankruptcies are seen in a different light. Expectations have changed, expectations have changed.
Playfully, there hasn’t been much change in “Sascha”. The ambidextrous backhand is solid and for the age of the German astonishingly mature and solid. The forehand could be seen as a weak point. Too many mistakes sneak into the game of the hamburger, if he does not stand on the forehand side optimally to the ball. Winner he generates many, but also some unforced mistakes with his enormous tempo. There’s nothing to complain about on serve. Zverev can and often serves well above 200 km/h. It is highly likely that the lack of results accounts for the 20-year-old’s mental condition.
The time to turn around is now. The “Sunshine Double” is approaching Zverev and finds its prelude in Indian Wells against the Portuguese Joao Sousa on Sunday. A feasible lot and, above all, a good test to find your way into the tournament. The third Masters title seems to be a long way off, but the coup in Rome was no less likely. With the weakening top-10 competition, Zverev could be able to send his critics in California into the desert. The German has the stuff for the big matches and could reach the top as a brilliant fourth.
The men’s single panel in Indian Wells