Becker hails ‘superstar’ Zverev as best of new generation
(Reuters) - Alexander Zverev has proven himself as the best of tennis’ new generation of men’s players following his maiden ATP Finals triumph where he beat Roger Federer and Novak Djokovic in consecutive days, German great Boris Becker has said.
After overcoming 20times Grand Slam winner Federer in the semi-finals in London on Saturday, the 21-year-old Zverev beat world number one Djokovic 6-4 6-3 the next day to claim the biggest crown of his career so far.
Victory meant Zverev, who has also won titles in Washington, Madrid and Munich this season, will finish in the top four of the world rankings for a second straight year.
“For years we have been saying tennis needs new faces and strong new players - and he’s proved he is the best of the next generation,” Becker, the last German to win the ATP Finals in 1995, told the BBC.
“Beating Novak Djokovic in the final was a big upset and a big victory for Sascha (Zverev). It was the big match which we were all waiting for from him.
“Yes... he’s beaten Djokovic and Federer before, but to beat them back-to-back in one of the biggest tournaments in the world tells him, most importantly, but also the world, that he is going to be the next big thing.”
Becker, a six-time Grand Slam winner, said Zverev had the potential to be the “new superstar” of world tennis and backed his compatriot to deliver on his promise under coach Ivan Lendl.