The bitter semi-final exit at the Australian Open hits Alexander Zverev to the core. But the Olympic champion is looking forward.
from SID
last edited: January 27, 2024, 11:06 a.m
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There is no question: Alexander Zverev will get up again
On the long way home, Alexander Zverev was filled with disappointment as well as a good deal of pride. “I did everything I could. I played good tennis throughout the whole trip to Australia,” said Zverev after his bitter semi-final exit at the Australian Open: “I lost because of my physical condition. That’s why it’s frustrating. “
Before the duel with feared opponent Daniil Medvedev, the Hamburg native developed a “feverish cold”, which took away his strength and the chance of his second Grand Slam final in the thrilling five-set thriller against the Russian. But Zverev wants to take the positives from the four weeks in Australia, in which he first won the United Cup with the German team in Sydney and then made it to the semi-finals in Melbourne with exciting tennis at times.
Zverev at the Davis Cup
“I did everything I could in preparation and here in Australia. I was focused, I was concentrated – but things got out of my control. Hopefully it wasn’t my last chance,” said Zverev, who lost in the quarter-finals against Carlos Alcaraz and in the first two sets against Medvedev had impressively underlined his ambitions for the first major title – in the end without success. Now we look forward.
The Davis Cup duel in Hungary is scheduled for the first weekend in February. Despite a cold, Germany’s number one wants to play for captain Michael Kohlmann’s team. “I assume that I will be in Hungary,” said Zverev in Melbourne: “It’s not a question for me now.”
Two big goals in Paris
Successful qualification for the group stage of the team competition should give the 26-year-old further self-confidence for the long season in which he wants to attack the really big titles. He proved in Melbourne that he is one of the world‘s best.
Despite a few wobbles in the first round, he was in absolutely world-class form, especially against Alcaraz. In Paris, London and New York there are the next chances for Zverev to finally fulfill his dream of his first major title. He also wants to triumph again in the individual at the Olympic Games in the French capital.
“I’m sure that if I do the right things, I’ll get another chance like this,” said Zverev, who only suffered two defeats in a total of eleven individual games at the start of the season in Australia – and can build on that.
Here is the individual tableau in Melbourne
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Zverev Alexander Medvedev Daniil