Tennis Is A Tough Sport – Zverev

Germany’s Alexander Zverev has attributed his poor run of form since losing in the Australian Open final to burnout. The 27-year-old, who is still seeking his first Grand Slam title, believes he should have taken time off after losing to Jannik Sinner in straight sets in the Australian Open final at the end of January.

“Tennis is a tough sport,” Zverev said, highlighting the physical and mental demands of the game. “We play a lot. We travel a lot. First of all, we don’t give our bodies rest, but we also don’t give our heads rest. They don’t get mental rest. I needed that a little bit.”

Despite struggling with burnout, Zverev has shown signs of improvement, winning a tournament two weeks ago. He emphasizes the importance of focusing on the positives, saying, “I’m on a good path. I won a tournament two weeks ago. I cannot forget that. And I have to focus on the positives.”

Zverev’s comments come as he continues his quest for a Grand Slam title. His loss to Sinner in the Australian Open final was a significant setback, but he remains hopeful about his chances in future tournaments. According to some analysts, Zverev’s game is heavily reliant on his powerful serve, which may not be enough to secure a Grand Slam win.

In fact, experts have expressed mixed opinions about Zverev’s prospects of winning a Grand Slam title. Some believe he has the potential to win, particularly at Roland Garros, while others think he may struggle to overcome mental baggage from his previous losses. Lee Clarke, for instance, believes Zverev’s chances are slim, saying, “Cards on the table. Probably not. His game is far too reliant on the powerful serve and the worrying aspect of the recent final against Sinner is that he wasn’t even competitive”.

Zverev has also spoken about the scheduling preferences at the Australian Open, hinting that organizers prioritize players like Novak Djokovic and Carlos Alcaraz for night sessions. “I really love playing in night sessions because I know the atmosphere is more electric and I like that. Afterward, I also know that my requests to play there will come after those of Djokovic, who has more influence, just like Alcaraz; mine will be taken into account in 4th, and 5th position; that’s how it is; I have to get used to it”.

As Zverev continues his journey to win a Grand Slam title, he will look to learn from his experiences and adapt to the demands of professional tennis. With his recent win and determination to focus on the positives, he may yet overcome the challenges and achieve his goal.