Becker: So I have Zverev helped

Boris Becker describes Melbourne’s participation in the semi-finals as a “quantum leap” for Alexander Zverev – and emphasizes his share in the success. Zverev has grown up.

For Boris Becker, the semi-final appearance of Germany’s showpiece tennis professional Alexander Zverev at the Australian Open in Melbourne could have been a landmark success in his career.

“That was a quantum leap for him,” said the 52-year-old three-time Wimbledon winner at a Mercedes-Benz appointment on the sidelines of the Laureus Awards ceremony in Berlin.

Zverev had “not trained enough in the run-up to the first Grand Slam tournament, he came to Brisbane unprepared for the tournament”. Becker admitted that he had taken Zverev to his chest: “I found clear words.”

Zverev’s outbursts of anger in Brisbane had also been a thorn in his side.

Becker: Zverev “has respect for me”
Becker, Head of Men’s Tennis at the German Tennis Federation (DTB): “He has respect for me. He has taken my words to heart and has grown up a bit.”

Becker considers the fact that there will be another WTA tournament in Berlin – on grass – from 13 to 21 June this year to be “very positive”.