Zverev’s ‘star quality’ puts world elite on high alert
At the O2 arena on Sunday night, 21-year-old Alexander Zverev lived up to his billing as a future world No1. By beating Novak Djokovic in straight sets – 6-4, 6-3 – he became the youngest winner of the Nitto ATP Finals for 10 years, and the experts have little doubt that the German has the qualities to reach the summit.
Self-assured character
Former British No1 Annabel Croft recalled her first encounter with Zverev. He was 18, and she was presenting him with the “ATP Newcomer of the Year” award.
“I thought, ‘God that guy has serious star quality,’” Croft said. “Energy emanates out of him. He was so charming, but also worldly at such a young age. And he was categorically saying, ‘I am coming back here [the O2]. I want to play in this event.’”
A similar view was expressed by Boris Becker, the last German male to reach world No1, on the BBC. “The world has seen a new superstar in tennis,” Becker said. “Not only for the fact he has beaten the world No1 and Roger Federer [in Saturday’s semi-final], but for the way he carries himself.”
Finely honed athlete
One of the features of Sunday’s final was the way Zverev shrank the court, moving so smoothly and fluidly that Djokovic managed a mere seven winners.
“For a player who is 6ft 6in, his movement, agility and balance are exceptional,” said Jez Green, the fitness trainer who worked with Andy Murray. “This is the first thing I noticed when I saw him at 15. He moves low and wide and with a high level of co-ordination, which is very unusual at this height. He is only going to get stronger and faster over the next few years, which is very exciting.”
Watching Sunday’s final, Croft was particularly impressed with Zverev’s recovery steps out of the forehand corner. “When the serve pushes you out of the court on your right-hand side, that’s often a problem for the big guys,” she said.
“Tomas Berdych, for instance, is one guy who struggles to push off and get back in position for the next shot. But I was so impressed with Sascha’s movement patterns on that side. I felt like I could see all the work that Jez has put in.”
Strong pedigree
Zverev’s father, Alexander Snr, was a fine player who represented Russia 36 times in the Davis Cup. His mother, Irina, would have played far more but for the responsibility of bringing up her two sons. The elder Zverev brother, Mischa, is the world No69 – a left-handed serve-volleyer who knocked Murray out of the Australian Open last year.
As Green put it: “Sascha’s work ethic came from his parents and older brother who instilled the idea that you must work hard every single day. His ambition makes him special, he is hungry to be the best he can be and is prepared to do the work. Every day in the gym and on the court he will willingly suffer if he believes it will make him better.
“And he has built a great team around himself, which shows that he understands the big picture.”
The Lendl effect
Midway through the season, Zverev was enduring a dicey sequence on the American hard courts. Then Ivan Lendl joined the team, with almost instant results.
Croft said: “From what I have heard, their practice sessions have focused on the first strike after the serve – which is similar to the way Lendl tried to make Murray less passive on that third shot.”
Psychologically, too, Lendl’s input is crucial.
It came in handy on Saturday night, after Zverev had been booed at the O2 for the manner of his victory over Federer. (The criticism revolved around a moment in the second-set tiebreak when a ball boy let a loose ball fall on to the court, and Zverev immediately halted play).
“When I saw Lendl in the tunnel,” Croft revealed, “he said he was cross Sascha had apologised [to the crowd], because he had nothing to apologise for.
“I said, ‘I hope he will be all right tomorrow,’ and he said, ‘He will be when I have finished with him.’
“The Lendl effect had come into play.”