A reporter at Monday’s press conference wanted to know what tactics he could use to defeat Carlos Alcaraz. “With what tactics?” Alexander Zverev asked back and took another second to answer.
Then the 26-year-old Olympic champion replied in his own, slightly sarcastic way: “Serving more aces than him, making fewer double faults than him, scoring more winners, making fewer unforced errors.”
There was another short artistic pause before Zverev added: “That should help.”
Then he smiled because he had passed on the panacea, the winning formula for every tennis match imaginable. In football, observers would probably have asked for three euros for the much-quoted phrase.
Alcaraz at the Australian Open – the second hardest task in the world
Of course, it was clear to everyone involved that Germany’s best tennis player would not publicly go into detailed tactical secrets. Not when it comes to Carlos Alcaraz (Wednesday from around 11:00 a.m. in the ticker). It is the second toughest task for a tennis player in Melbourne after Novak Djokovic, who has won the event ten times.
Zverev after the round of 16: “Unfortunately I have huge blood blisters”
If the Center Court at Wimbledon seemed like a living room for Boris Becker in the 80s and 90s, then the Rod Laver Arena in Melbourne is probably Djokovic’s personal amusement park. For the Serb’s opponents, after all these years, this park is still not subject to the entertainment tax.
However, playing tennis against a fit, rested Alcaraz isn’t much more fun; Many of his opponents enter the court with respect. Sometimes observers even see fear in the eyes of the greatest talent since the Big 3 of Djokovic, Roger Federer and Rafael Nadal.
Which is not just due to Alcaraz’s extraterrestrial fitness, Juan Martín del Potro-like forehand and general mental strength. The only 20-year-old has already turned his talent into two Grand Slam titles. But Zverev is not afraid.
Zverev optimistic: “Duel gives me energy”
When asked about a freshness disadvantage, Zverev explained: “I think it gives you energy when you play a quarter-final game against the number two in the world at 7 p.m. in the Rod Laver Arena.”
Round of 16: Zverev with a five-set thriller against Norrie – highlights
Zverev’s self-image has never been smaller than Alcaraz’s. For the German, only absolute world class is enough. After the serious ligament injury in 2022 and an encouraging comeback year in 2023, he would like to fight again for the Grand Slam title and the top spots in the world rankings. He gave everything to achieve this in the pre-season in Monte Carlo.
He confirmed Alcaraz’s statement that he had an advantage by playing fewer sets with a simple “Sure, 100 percent”, but then continued: “If you play less, you are fresher, but I feel good. “I’m not like that at the US Open, where I was completely dead and feeling physically exhausted.”
Zverev uses his own narrative: “I’m not dead”
In late summer 2023 he defeated Jannik Sinner after 4:40 hours at 1:40 a.m. Since he only managed to get some sleep in the early hours of the morning, he was missing out on important regeneration hours. He had no chance against a fit Alcaraz. Now, says Zverev, the starting position is different.
Becker sheds light on Zverev: “That’s the most interesting statistic”
“I’m definitely tired because I went 7-6 in the fifth set in two of the last three games, but I’m not dead. I’m not completely exhausted. I’m not in the same physical condition as before at the US Open,” he said, adding: “To be honest, I expect it to be very different.”
Alcaraz: Five hours less work than Zverev
Ignoring the facts and not letting them affect you is what makes great athletes. Zverev doesn’t want to be tempted to make excuses. Alcaraz only lost one set on the way to the quarter-finals, he only has twelve sets under his belt (Zverev 17). With 13:47 hours, Zverev had to work a good five hours more than his opponent. (8:42 a.m.).
But on the one hand, Zverev himself is one of the fittest players on the ATP tour, hardened by countless interval sessions in the Stade Louis II football stadium and countless hours in the home gym and trying to create equal opportunities. However, Zverev does not travel with his own doctor.
That’s what Alcaraz says about the duel with Zverev
The Spanish “Marca” counts the doctor Juanjo López as part of the Alcaraz travel group in Melbourne. López cooperates with Angel Ruiz-Cotorro, who has been responsible for Nadal for many years and travels with him. Cotorro was active in Spanish cycling in the 1980s and has worked for the country’s tennis association since 1992.
At least Zverev’s record is correct. Zverev has won four of the seven duels against Alcaraz, including the last one so far in November at the ATP Finals. Alcaraz himself recently stated that he had reached the end of his tether at the end of a long season. The opposite can now be observed at the start of the season.
Alcaraz: “They are always tough fights”
Alcaraz said: “The last time we competed I lost. That’s why I have to focus on that. I have to improve my level in this game. I will enjoy this game. I will enjoy playing against him in the quarterfinals and hopefully win.”
According to Alcaraz, Zverev is a really great player. “He beat great players here in this tournament. Of course I enjoy playing against him. They are always tough fights. I have to play at my best level. He pushes me to give 100 percent every time.”
Zverev exclusively on the five-set marathon: “Extremely complicated”
If Zverev wants to have a chance, he has to improve his previously fantastic serve performance again. At any point in the game, he must have confidence in his signature shot, the backhand – especially cross shots.
It is said that the Spaniard has respect for this shot. And the most important thing: He has to come back more courageously, with more length and muster the courage for a powerful forehand. If he succeeds, he will cause problems for Alcaraz.
Round of 16: Alcaraz shines against Kecmanovic – highlights
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2024-01-23 16:52:42
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