World number one John McEnroe can imagine that Angelique Kerber’s Wimbledon victory will give German tennis a small boost.
“Your victory over Serena Williams in the final was truly remarkable. Perhaps now a few more youngsters in Germany want to become good tennis players,” said the American a few hours before his “legend match” at the Rothenbaum in Hamburg against tournament director Michael Stich (who won on Sunday evening with 7:6 (3), 2:6 and 10:7).
The 59-year-old is also confident that world number three Alexander Zverev will be as successful as Kerber: “He has the opportunity to win a Grand Slam tournament. But I can’t tell when that will be.”
Zverev still differs from the absolute top stars in their ability to survive the first laps with less effort. “That was Zverev’s problem at the French Open in Paris,” said McEnroe, who was the number one in men’s tennis for 170 weeks.
He is grateful to still be able to play tennis, but for more than three days in a row he can no longer make it: “Then I always need a break. Getting older is a bitch.”