Zverev on reaching #1
On November 2, Zverev became world No. 1, the 30th person to top the ATP rankings and the second German after Boris Becker. When asked if the long and bumpy wait was worth it, he pointed to his career.
“No one has had more ups and downs than me, a lot of hard times to go through,” he said. “That’s why climbing No. 1 had, and still has, an even more special flavor.”
He drew a line between the lead and his first Grand Slam title at Roland Garros this year. “The taste of lightness. I’ve been chasing it all my life,” he said of the title. “However, the first place in the rating table has the taste of something completely different. it means I’ve been the most consistent player this year, that my performance has finally been confirmed over months and seasons.”
Zverev about the Sinner and Alcaraz
Asked what advice he would give Mehavori, who has been injured since July 12, Zverev said he expects him to quickly return to his best form.
“Yannick is a champion for very good reasons. He knew when to stop, he is working on his recovery,” Zverev said. “I don’t think it will take him long to become one of the best players on the planet again. it’s not like you forget how to do it in the process. Personally, I can’t wait to face him.”
Zverev won his first two Grand Slam titles this year, at Roland Garros and the US Open, without facing either Sinner or Sinner. Carlos Alcaraz on the way. When Picardy told him that for a section of the public, it was a crime to be number 1 after losing to two, he turned the question back on him. “That’s for you.” he asked. When she said no, he replied. “Then why are you asking me?”
He said that it is a much discussed topic, he replied. “Let me answer you this way. I can face and try to beat whoever I find on the other side of the net,” Zverev said. “I have nothing to do with the fact that Yannick got heatstroke in Paris and that Carlos was knocked out at Flushing Meadows by Shelton, who I beat in the final. I hope to meet them again in the coming seasons. what else can i do?
At the age of 29, he does not think about the end. “I want to play at least another 20 years…” he said. And after that? “Then I’ll take the padel.”