Alexander Zverev, who will be the leader of the German team in the ATP Cup, appeared this Saturday at a press conference with his teammates Jan-Lennard Struff, Kevin Kravietz and Andreas Mies and the captain, his brother Mischa Zverev. The finalist of the last US Open did not hold his tongue when speaking about the difference in treatment of the top players (Djokovic, Nadal and Thiem) in Adelaide: “I think maybe it is the only real mistake that there was on the part of the organization. They had more practice time on the court. Somehow they had more freedom. The only thing players can complain about, in my opinion, is perhaps Adelaide's preparation. Although, anyway, I think it is always difficult to beat Novak, Rafa and Dominic. That doesn't change. “
For the rest, Zverev thinks that Tennis Australia has done things well, also with the companions it confined: “If there had not been a 14-day quarantine for the people who were inside those planes with positive cases afterwards, maybe there would have been more people involved. We would have had to quarantine more players, but yeah, it's going to be more difficult for them, that's for sure. But I think we have to understand that Australia has also been on lockdown for six months and has no COVID cases. “In addition, Sascha appreciates the benefits that will bring during the Australian Open:” For us to be able to play in front of a crowd and not live in a bubble now during the tournament, it's very good. We really shouldn't complain too much about the circumstances. “
Motivated by the loss to Thiem in NY
Zverev, said last Thursday that the narrow loss in the US Open final to Dominic Thiem It serves as motivation for the Australian Grand Slam, in statements to the “Bild live” media. “Every day, in all training sessions and in everything I do I think of defeat”, highlighted Zverev, who lost his first Grand Slam title to Austrian Thiem by just two points in the fifth-set tiebreak last September. “I know I really want this. Since then I organized my life just to succeed at the Grand Slam and I hope to prove it this year, “said the 23-year-old German tennis player.
The Australian Open begins on February 8. In addition, from February 1 to 5, tennis will meet with the ATP Cup, a team competition with two singles and one doubles per series. The German team, led by Zverev, will face Serbia and Canada in the preliminary round. Zverev justified the harsh quarantine measures in Australia due to the coronavirus pandemic, even if they represent a competitive disadvantage for gamers, especially those who remain completely isolated. Such is the case of German Angelique Kerber, who is among a group of players who cannot leave the hotel until this weekend, when her 14-day quarantine ends, due to a case of coronavirus on her flight to Melbourne. Zverev, for his part, can go out five hours a day to train.
“Of course it is not easy if you have to be quarantined for 14 days and then you have to go to the tennis court and face those who have been able to train normally,” said Zverev. “It's a bit unfair. But also You have to understand Australians, who do not have any case of coronavirus in their country, except at this moment we tennis players. They have been closing hard for six months and I think they have done better than any other country in the world, “added the German tennis player. These measures allow the Australian Open, which has been postponed for three weeks, to be held with an audience at the stadium.