Alexander Zverev did not feel like deep conversations after his greatest success. However, he has a clear opinion on the subject of changing the guard.
By Florian Goosmann from London
The virtually unbeatable Novak Djokovic was defeated, the biggest title of the young career was won – and the 2018 season ended with a bang. If anyone deserves a well-deserved vacation, it’s Alexander Zverev.
This was the way it felt in the press conference after the victory at the ATP Finals. “That was the worst applause I ever got after winning a tournament,” he joked at the entrance to the press centre, when there was some uncertainty among the waiting journalists as to whether or not applause was really allowed. “Thanks anyway,” said Zverev and grinned amusedly.
And he went on. What did he feel when he dropped to the ground after the match point? “My knees, they hurt a little.” Does he think that the victory will increase the pressure to do well at Grand Slams? “The only thing I think right now is that my holidays are gonna be great, the next two weeks.” What Ivan Lendl did to him before the game? “He didn’t do anything. He talked to me about golf.”
It was all fun, of course. “We analyzed the match I played against Novak a few days ago. He told me things I have to do differently. I was more aggressive today. Took the ball early.”
A secret of success this week: clearly the serve. He was always over 60 percent, in the matches against John Isner and Novak Djokovic over 70 percent – in the first set against the Djoker at absurd 88 percent. “I’ve been focusing on this with Ivan for the past few months. That was one thing we really wanted to improve. I’m very tall, so we have to make him a weapon.”
With the victory over Djokovic, Zverev joined the ranks of two other players who had been the only ones to do so since Wimbledon – Stefanos Tsitsipas and Karen Khachanov. “We young players are coming,” said Zverev. “Khachanov’s victory in Paris was a big thing, I was very happy for him. In Toronto, when Tsitsipas won, Novak didn’t play so well – yet you have to beat him first.”
With all the euphoria and holiday mood – one thing Zverev nevertheless made clear. To the question of whether one would now kick the best players in history from the throne. “Wait a minute,” reassured the world number five. “The others always win the Grand Slams and are in first, second and third place. They’re still the best players in the world. We young players are trying everything to change that. But this year they were better.”
Zverev is now on holiday, first in Dubai, then in the Maldives. “Tomorrow at 9 o’clock the plane leaves”, announced the new world champion – the victory celebration will be cancelled accordingly. It has already been decided when tennis will continue. “December 2nd in Monte Carlo,” Zverev revealed. “At 9:00.”