ATP: Zverev denied Becker: “Ivan’s life is a little easier right now”

Only two prominent coaches could be considered for Alexander Zverev. There are two good reasons why he gets help from Ivan Lendl and not Boris Becker in New York and beyond.

Alexander Zverev was spoilt for choice – and decided against the hero of his homeland. So he picked up his phone to personally inform Boris Becker of the decision.

“Look,” Zverev said, “I would have loved to work with you, and maybe it will work in the future. But I think Ivan is a better fit right now.” That’s what the Hamburg native told us at least before the US Open in New York.

It has been known since Tuesday that Ivan Lendl, once Becker’s great rival on the court, was awarded the contract. For two good reasons. “One,” Zverev said, “some of my team have already worked with Ivan. And two? “I just thought Ivan’s life was a little easier right now. I like Boris. I love him. He’s a great guy. I wrote him and talked to him before I announced the matter with Ivan.”

Becker himself had last admitted that there have been “already better times” in his life. The separation from his wife Lilly went off scorchingly, financially the situation is tense. Zverev’s decision in favour of Lendl was nevertheless a sporty one for Becker, he even expressly praised her: “I believe that he needs help especially with the Grand Slams. “Ivan, with his experience, especially in New York, is just the man for the job.”

According to Eurosport expert Becker, the eight-time Grand Slam winner was “not only one of the best tennis players in the world”, Lendl “also enjoys a high reputation among the coaches”. The Briton Andy Murray led Lendl to three Grand Slam victories, including the title at the US Open in 2012. “His success with Andy contributed to our decision,” said Zverev (21).

He had talked to his fitness coach Jez Green and his manager Patricio Apey, both once Murray employees. Father Alexander senior, who continues – now at eye level with Lendl – the daily training, also gave the okay. Already with the first units it was to be seen that it fits between the coaches. “Both know each other for 30 years, the relationship is strong. When my father says something, Ivan listens and vice versa,” Zverev said.

He himself can only profit from so much expertise and greedily absorbs it. “Five, six hours” he trained daily before the US Open, it was about tactics, but also about what the head needs to be ready for a Grand Slam title. Lendl had “already shown him a little,” said Zverev, who has so far lagged far far far behind expectations with the majors. A quarter-final in May at the French Open is not enough – also for the world ranking fourth’s own ambitions.

Zverev will make his next attempt on Tuesday, when he will meet Canadian Peter Polansky in the first round of the last Grand Slam tournament of the year. For the first time Ivan Lendl will sit in his box, Becker will probably comment on the game. For Swiss record champion Roger Federer, however, it is irrelevant who takes on which role in Team Zverev anyway. “Sasha will be incredibly successful,” Federer said in New York, “whether Ivan is there or not.”