Munich (AP) – Tennis legend Boris Becker sees Alexander Zverev on the way back to the absolute top of the world after the home win in Hamburg. “Tennis is much easier for him again. He has the talent and the class, and basically I trust him to win a Grand Slam at the US Open,” said Becker on the sidelines of a media event on Tuesday and said: “Zverev is currently playing the best tennis since his comeback after the long injury break.”
According to Becker, Zverev’s performance in New York also depends on the results of the preparatory tournaments. In Toronto, the number 16 in the world should play his first round game on Tuesday evening. “If he gets to the semifinals there, he will be one of the favorites to go to the US Open,” said Becker, who will accompany the final Grand Slam tournament of the season for the streaming provider Sportdeutschland.TV.
Zverev celebrated his greatest successes on hard court. In Tokyo he became Olympic champion in 2021, at the US Open he was already in the final in 2020. The native of Hamburg is still missing a Grand Slam victory. “The time is not over yet. In my opinion, he has not missed the moment. At 26, he is in the best tennis age,” said Becker.
The three-time Wimbledon winner, who won the tournament in New York himself in 1989, also knows that it won’t be any easier for Zverev. “The competition has increased, especially on hard court. You have a larger pool of players who can win the US Open,” said Becker.
The top favorite for the US Open title for Becker is world number one Carlos Alcaraz from Spain. “The Alcaraz era has begun. This is the new superstar of the scene. We can be happy to have such a talented and charismatic player on the tour,” said Becker about the 20-year-old Wimbledon winner. At the same time, the 55-year-old noted with regard to the Serbian Grand Slam record tournament winner Novak Djokovic: “The Djokovic era is not over yet.”
© dpa-infocom, dpa:230808-99-764333/3
2023-08-08 14:50:48
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