Dec 22 (Reuters) – Olympic champion Alexander Zverev is confident that the changing of the guard in men’s tennis is almost complete, as next year’s big trophies are likely to be shared between Novak Djokovic, Daniil Medvedev and himself.
Germany’s Zverev beat Djokovic en route to gold at the Tokyo Olympics and then ended the year by winning the ATP Finals title for the second time.
Djokovic won three Grand Slam titles this year, but his old rivals Rafael Nadal and Roger Federer could not add more to their collection, leaving the trio tied with 20 majors each.
World number two Medvedev beat Djokovic in the US Open final, while Zverev also reached two Grand Slam semi-finals this year.
Heading into the new season, Federer, 40, is still recovering from knee surgery, while Nadal, 35, is in the early stages of his return from a foot injury.
“I think next year could be a lot like the last six months of this year,” Zverev, named German Sportsman of the Year this week, told Eurosport Germany’s Das Gelbe vom Ball podcast.
“Before, there was always talk of Nadal, Federer and Djokovic. Now the big titles were the Olympics, the US Open, Turin (ATP Finals) and Wimbledon, and they were all won by Medvedev, Djokovic and myself. I don’t expect that be different next year. “
Zverev finished the year in No. 3 and believes No. 1 is a viable goal. “I know I’m not far from him, but for that I also have to win tournaments and Grand Slams,” he said.
In theory, the 24-year-old Zverev could become number one if he wins the Australian Open and Djokovic misses the tournament because of his stance on the COVID-19 vaccine.
“The situation with Novak and Australia remains a great unknown. Of course, I hope he is allowed to play, that is very clear,” he said. “There are thousands of mathematical calculations, if he does not play in Australia and I win the Australian Open, then I am number one in the world and so on.”
“At the end of the day, now is not the time to think (about being number one); it is time to prepare as best you can to be physically fit to play for it.”
(Reporting by Martyn Herman; edited in Spanish by Carlos Serrano)
–
