Alexander Zverev approaches Wimbledon with confidence. His approach to the grass court classic has changed this year
French Open finalist Alexander Zverev is taking a very confident approach to Wimbledon this year. “It’s the first time I really think I’m here as a contender to maybe win the title,” said the best German tennis player in London: “I didn’t think that in previous years when I came here.”
The grass court classic is Zverev’s weakest Grand Slam tournament to date. The 27-year-old has never made it past the round of 16. Last year, he lost in the third round to Italian Matteo Berrettini.
He didn’t like the grass surface for a long time in his career, said Zverev, explaining that it doesn’t allow for as long rallies as on clay. “You have to get used to the style of play. You have to accept that the game might not go as smoothly as on other surfaces,” said Zverev. “It’s a mental thing,” said the Hamburg native: “You have to accept it, if I do that, I think I have a chance. “
Zverev: Title question more open than it has been for a long time
Zverev will face Spain’s world number 65 Roberto Carballes Baena in his first round match at Wimbledon on Tuesday. The German number one was drawn in the lower half of the tournament. This means that Zverev could only meet defending champion Carlos Alcaraz from Spain or the Italian world number one Jannik Sinner in a possible final. A possible semi-final opponent would be the record Grand Slam champion Novak Djokovic from Serbia, who has been ailing recently.
He believes that this Wimbledon edition is perhaps more open than any other in 20 years as far as the possible winners are concerned, said Zverev. “I think there are several guys who have a very decent chance of going far and a very decent chance of winning the tournament. “
