Finally the longed-for title premiere for Alexander Zverev or a historic tennis coup for Novak Djokovic? The last Grand Slam trophy of the season is awarded at the US Open.
Olympic tennis champion
New York (AP) – In the New York Mets baseball stadium, Olympic tennis champion Alexander Zverev was allowed to watch the game against the San Francisco Giants from the front row.
In the celebratory jersey with the number 4, Zverev chatted with Mets star player Francisco Lindor and coach Luis Rojas. Shortly after his arrival in New York, the visit to Citi Field offered both variety and mood for the 24-year-old hamburger. Because from Monday, Zverev is hoping for his very special Grand Slam home run right next door.
Coronation in New York?
The US Open facility with Arthur Ashe Stadium, the largest tennis arena in the world, is just a few minutes away. And on September 12th, Zverev is only too happy to hold a trophy in his hands there that has so far been denied him. After his “unbelievable summer”, as legend Boris Becker put it, it should finally work out with the cup victory at a Grand Slam tournament.
“Everything that happened was incredible for me,” said Zverev on the TV channel Eurosport about his gold medal from Tokyo and the subsequent title at the preparatory tournament in Cincinnati. In the interview, he wore his white Olympic T-shirt with the words “Germany” and the Tokyo logo on the right sleeve. Zverev is intoxicated with gold – and at the same time focused on the next goal.
“I’m in New York now and there is a huge tournament here. I now have to put aside all the emotions I’ve had and concentrate on New York, ”said Zverev. While Angelique Kerber, who already knows the feeling of a US Open victory, Andrea Petkovic, Philipp Kohlschreiber, Dominik Koepfer and Peter Gojowczyk will play their first-round games on Monday, Zverev’s opening task against the American Sam Querrey is not due until Tuesday.
Half-final against Djokovic possible
Not the easiest lot, especially in front of an audience, but anything but a sovereign Zverev victory would come as a surprise. If everything goes according to plan, Zverev will play a semi-final against Novak Djokovic. Zverev defeated the world number one and absolute top favorite for the title in the Olympic semifinals. Even now, the fourth in the world rankings knows: “He’s still the favorite, he’s the one to beat.” Especially since history is at stake for the Serb: Should Djokovic triumph in Flushing Meadows after his titles at the Australian Open, the French Open and Wimbledon, he would be the first player since the Australian Rod Laver to win the so-called Grand Slam in 1969. Zverev denied him the chance of the Golden Slam including Olympic victory.
So Djokovic will not lack motivation. “It will be an interesting two weeks, many players are in top form,” said Zverev. This also applies to Angelique Kerber. The 33-year-old from Kiel won the title here five years ago and became number one in the world. After some ups and downs in the recent past, she recently convinced with the tournament victory in Bad Homburg and the semifinals in Wimbledon and Cincinnati. Only twice defeated by world number one Ashleigh Barty. “She has regained strength, has new self-confidence and enjoys playing,” said Becker.
The 53-year-old thinks Kerber is one of the favorites. “She won’t like to hear that because she likes to stay a little under the radar,” said the three-time Wimbledon winner. This is what distinguishes Kerber from Zverev: The hamburger has long been on the title radar.
© dpa-infocom, dpa: 210829-99-11457 / 2
