Zverev has it all — Federer
LONDON: Roger Federer has paid a glowing tribute to Alexander Zverev, hailing the 20-year- old German as having the “full package” of skills and resolve to lead tennis’s youthful revolution.
Zverev offered a stern challenge before finally succumbing to Federer, a man 16 years his senior, at the ATP Finals in an absorbing three-setter on Tuesday.
Federer has lost twice to Zverev on tour, and once in the Hopman Cup, and believes the German will be a major threat to the game’s elite for years to come – and perhaps to him again even a s early as Sunday.
With one win and one loss at the O2 Arena, Zverev could still feature in the other hal f of the draw to Federer in Saturday’s semi- finals should he prevail in the winner- takes- all clash with Jack Sock on Thursday.
Federer said he was impressed not only with how the world number three plays the game but also with how he is looking further down the line to plan for his future in tennis.
I see somebody who is working towards the future. What I like to see is I feel like he’s working towards how he could be playing when he’s 23, 24 in terms of his fitness, planning, organisation, all these things. Roger Federer, world number two
“I like what I’m seeing in ‘ Sascha,’” Federer told reporters after his 7- 6(6) 5-7 6-1 victory. “I see somebody who is working towards the future. What I like to see is I feel like he’s working towards how he could be playing when he’s 23, 24 in terms of his fitness, planning, organisation, all these things.” — Reuters