Alexander Zverev is hoping to hit the jackpot in Melbourne. The Olympic champion is already in top form ahead of the Australian Open. For Angelique Kerber, on the other hand, it’s about other things first
After a perfect start to the season at the United Cup, Alexander Zverev and Angelique Kerber are also aiming to cause a sensation at the Australian Open. However, the conditions for the two best German tennis pros could not be more different.
While Zverev already showed strong performances in the second half of 2023 and won four of his five singles matches at the team competition in Sydney, Kerber is still searching for form and rhythm at the start of her comeback after a one-and-a-half-year maternity leave.
“I’m very excited to be here and see all the faces again after 18 months,” said Kerber, who won the tennis spectacle in Melbourne in 2016 and then jumped into the Yarra River in exuberance. A repeat of that action, which was the result of a bet, is rather unlikely this time. After all, Kerber hadn’t played a match since Wimbledon 2023 until her comeback at the United Cup. But she emphasized: “I still have the fire. “
Many highlights this year
The appearances alongside Zverev in Sydney were the perfect start to an exciting year with the Olympic Games in Paris as a further highlight. “I had five tough matches here. Now I know a bit better where I stand,” said the 35-year-old, who was unlucky with the draw. Kerber will play the American Danielle Collins in the first round. If she wins, she would then face the Polish world number one Iga Swiatek.
Kerber wants to take it all in her stride. For her, since the birth of her daughter Liana, everything is also a question of getting used to it. “This will probably be the biggest challenge of my career,” Kerber said shortly before her return to the tennis tour.
She will be supported by her family in Australia. “The family knows the little one, has experienced the rhythm and the processes,” said Kerber. “Then I know that when I go out on court, everything is under control and Liana is in good hands. That’s the most important thing for me. “
Zverev back in form
For Zverev, on the other hand, everything is the same as always and yet very different from last year. The 2023 Olympic champion was in a similar situation to Kerber this time around. After a long injury break, Zverev also didn’t know exactly where he stood. He lost all of his singles matches at the United Cup a year ago and then had to retire in the second round in Melbourne.
This time, however, Zverev is one of the biggest challengers to top favorite Novak Djokovic. In Sydney, he beat strong opponents such as Stefanos Tsitsipas and Hubert Hurkacz and showed that he is ready for the first highlight of the season. “I feel good, the days in Sydney were great,” said Zverev, who will face Dominik Koepfer in the first round of the German duel in Melbourne.
Germany’s tennis legend Boris Becker has high hopes for Zverev in Melbourne. “I think the stars are aligned very well for him,” said the expert for TV channel Eurosport in a media round table. “You can count him among the favorites in Melbourne. Anything other than at least a second week would surprise me. I believe that we will see a very strong Sascha Zverev in Melbourne.”
Zverev used the days after Sydney to recharge his batteries. After all, he has big plans for this year. “For me, next year will be a year where I don’t want to set myself any limits. Let’s see how it goes then,” Zverev said at the end of last year.
His big goal remains to win a Grand Slam tournament, and he also wants to make another big impression at the Olympics in Paris. Also in the mixed doubles with Kerber? “The plan is, of course, that we want to play together,” revealed Zverev.
