Alexander Zverev, the current world No. 2 in men’s tennis, has recently addressed both his ambitions for the top spot in the rankings and criticism leveled against him. In a press conference prior to the Italian Open, Zverev discussed his current form, his pursuit of the World No. 1 ranking, and his response to media criticism.
“It Would Be Nice”: Zverev on Chasing No. 1
Zverev has made it clear that becoming the World No. 1 is a significant goal. “World No. 1? It would be nice,” he stated, acknowledging that he has not yet reached that milestone but believes he will in the future. He recognizes that achieving this goal requires consistent performance and winning titles.
Zverev had an opportunity to surpass Jannik Sinner in the rankings while the Italian player was temporarily sidelined. However, Zverev was unable to capitalize on this chance. Despite this, Zverev remains confident in his ability to reach the top spot.
“Worst World No. 2 Ever?”: Zverev Defends His Ranking
Zverev has faced criticism, with some suggesting he is undeserving of his No. 2 ranking. He has strongly refuted these claims, asserting that his ranking is a direct result of his performance and achievements. “I’m there because I won tournaments. I’m there because I have results,” Zverev declared, emphasizing that the ranking system accurately reflects his success.
He also pointed out that all players experience periods of fluctuating form. He referenced Novak Djokovic and Carlos Alcaraz, noting that they, too, have faced challenges and periods where their results were not up to their usual standards. Zverev believes that top players, including himself, will ultimately overcome these periods and perform their best in the most important matches.
Zverev also criticized the media for what he perceives as a tendency to focus on the negative aspects of players’ performances. He noted that after a couple of months where he didn’t play his best, he was suddenly labeled “the worst world No. 2 in the world ever”.
Rome and Beyond: Zverev’s Focus on the Future
Currently, Zverev is focused on defending his title at the Italian Open in Rome. He won the title in 2017 and was a finalist in 2018. A strong performance in Rome is crucial for him to gain momentum and close the gap with Sinner in the rankings.
Zverev acknowledged that he felt burned out after the Australian Open, which affected his subsequent performances. He believes he should have taken time off to rest both physically and mentally. However, he feels he is now on a “good path” and is focusing on the positives, including his recent title win in Munich.
Zverev on Electronic Line Calling
Zverev also shared his thoughts on electronic line calling (ELC), expressing his preference for the technology despite a recent incident in Madrid. During a match, he received a code violation for using his phone to take a picture of a ball mark that contradicted the ELC system. Despite this, Zverev stated that he generally likes ELC and believes it is the right way forward. He noted that he found the system to be accurate in Monte Carlo and Munich, suggesting there might have been an issue with the system in Madrid.
Looking Ahead
Alexander Zverev remains determined to achieve his goal of becoming World No. 1. He is also focused on performing well in major tournaments, including the upcoming Italian Open and French Open. Despite facing criticism and challenges, Zverev is confident in his abilities and believes he will find his best tennis when it matters most.
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