US Open – Boris Becker is amazed at Zverev: “Something happened psychologically”

Germany’s tennis icon Becker believes that Alexander Zverev put this pressure on himself on the one hand, but also experienced this through his environment and the public on the other.

That “also applies to the attitude – it was a set and a break against the invincible, so to speak, against Novak Djokovic, in the back. And then he starts playing as if unleashed. It starts above all in the head, with the attitude that you are good.” can handle the pressure – and he showed that. “

In Becker’s eyes, Zverev has reached a new level in his game, but also in his career. “He’s really slowly slipping into the role of a very great player, a champion,” says Becker and attests that Zverev has made great progress. “How he played in Cincinnati, how he won there – every match with the exception of the semi-finals in two sets – that was a giant step forward!”

Nevertheless, Becker leads the Olympic champion “only” in second place on his list of favorites for the US Open – the three-time Wimbledon winner occupies pole position with another player. “He is number one in the world and three-time Grand Slam winner this year. So if Novak Djokovic is not the favorite at the tournament, who should it be?” Says Becker.

Becker sees Zverev before Medvedev and Tsitsipas

Zverev made it into the top 4 for New York at Becker: “Djokovic is my top favorite, Zverev comes second, Medvedev three and Tsitsipas four when it comes to the favorite role.”

With a win at the US Open, Djokovic can achieve something that men’s tennis has been waiting for since 1969 – a Grand Slam. “It is the most difficult task in tennis,” stressed Becker and shows understanding for Djokovic, who had renounced further tournaments after the Olympics: “If he had just kept playing, he would probably have run out of strength in the second week in New York.”

Becker is well aware that the preparation of his former protégé was anything but optimal. “This year everything is different than usual, and maybe that fits into his plan. But he needed a break to recover from the mental stresses of the year,” said Becker.

Becker: Djokovic didn’t let Serbia down

The excesses of this tension were released in the lost Olympic semifinals against Sascha Zverev, when Djokovic let out his anger on his racket several times. “You have already seen that Novak was really bad mentally at the Olympic Games in Tokyo,” says Becker, who at the same time rejects critics who had claimed that Djokovic had his country by canceling the game for third place in the mixed abandoned. “So Novak does a lot, but he would never abandon his country. He was mentally and physically unable to continue playing,” Becker defended the Serb.

Olympia frustration or not – Djokovic is playing an “incredible year”, according to Becker. For two other icons of men’s tennis, 2021 has been a year to forget so far. “We always talked about the change of generations about how long the big three can still make it. The big three has now become the last Mohican. This is Novak Djokovic,” Becker describes the current situation.

Difficult times for Nadal and Federer

After his third knee operation, Roger Federer’s return to the tour is in the stars. For Becker, this only plays a subordinate role, health is the most important thing. “The rest of his life is still ahead of him, and whether he plays tennis again or not is almost secondary. He has already won so much and doesn’t have to prove anything to anyone,” said Becker.

“Even the Nadal fans have to get used to the idea that Rafael Nadal won’t play forever,” warns the Leimener. The Spaniard’s extremely physical game is increasingly taking its toll in his mid-30s. “You have to worry about Rafael Nadal’s health,” says Becker, reminding him: “Time doesn’t stand still for him. He needs the break – it will do him good.”

For Zverev, on the other hand, a break at the moment would be the worst thing that could happen to him …

Podcast – The yellow from the ball: Becker on Zverev’s chances