Alexander Zverev will enter a Grand Slam tournament for the first time in his career as number two at the French Open 2018. In an interview with tennisnet.com, the 21-year-old talks about his physical progress, his aggressiveness in big moments and the basketball affinity of his colleague Nick Kyrgios.
By Jens Huiber from Paris
tennisnet: Mr. Zverev. Their 2018 season will be excellent again with the successes in Munich and Madrid, the final in Rome. What’s your bat’s share of that?
Alexander Zverev: For us players it is important that we feel comfortable with the bat in the decisive moments. If you have a break point at 5:5 in the third set and you want to take a certain shot and you know what the shot has to look like: That is the most important thing for us. Whether this is due to the balance, the weight, depends on the player himself.
tennisnet: In Munich you highlighted the physical development of Hyeon Chung. Do you also see potential in physical terms?
Zverev: I am physically very, very satisfied, as it is at the moment. I currently weigh 91 kilograms, and that’s all I’m supposed to be, otherwise I’m too heavy. I have gained 16 kilograms over the past three years. That’s why you can see the changes: I can play long matches, which I have shown several times this year, for example in Australia or at the Davis Cup. Of course there are always things that can be improved, but generally speaking I am in a good situation.
tennisnet: You have already won three Masters 1000 finals this year, and three titles in total with Rome, Montreal and Madrid. It is striking how self-confident and playfully aggressive you appear in the finals. Where’s that coming from?
Zverev: It comes from me. For me it’s usually the case that I don’t play my best tennis in the first rounds. I often have to get used to it because I’m a very aggressive player. I have to find my way to the tournament. Last year I often had to fend off match points in the tournaments I won or only won 7:6 in the third set. And then it got better and better.
tennisnet: Last Sunday in Rome you were close to beating Rafael Nadal. Does this knowledge help you or does frustration outweigh it?
Zverev: Of course I took many positive things with me. They saw that I had a chance to win against Rafa in the final of a Masters match. If we were to play here in Paris, it wouldn’t be very different. On the other hand, it was a pity for me that the rain got me a little out of rhythm. Because I was extremely tired after the three weeks, but with the adrenaline I got into the match well. Then we had to sit down for an hour, didn’t do anything. Then my legs completely turned off. After that, I couldn’t find my way back into the match.
tennisnet: In your match against Marin Cilic, you’ve already done a feat of strength. Was that more difficult for you in mental or physical terms?
Zverev: I was tired after the match against Kyle Edmund. But that’s quite normal. If you play on such a level for three weeks, it’s a good problem to have. Just like in the Davis Cup against Nadal: I was tired too. But even there it was a good problem, because I played the final in Miami before. So I’d rather be like I’m always fresh. The Nadal match in Rome was an unfortunate one, but the weeks before can’t be ignored.
tennisnet: Your brand colleague Novak Djokovic also delivered a strong match against Rafael Nadal in Rome. How close do you think Djokovic is back to the top of the world?
Zverev: I think it’s very close from a tennis point of view. You could see how well Novak played in Rome. You have to ask him physically and mentally. It’s not easy being away for a long time and then coming back the way Federer did last year. Especially when you’re Novak Djokovic. Then you have other expectations. It’s not easy, but Novak will be able to get back to the top.
tennisnet: Nick Kyrgios always raves about basketball. Is there a second passion for you besides tennis?
Zverev: That would also be basketball. But I would never rather be a basketball player than a tennis pro.
tennisnet: Do you believe Kyrgios that he really means it?
Zverev: Oh, yes, I know that. I’ve had this conversation with him many times.