Victorious German United Cup Team: More Than Just a Warm-Up

In the end the sky over Sydney cried. The victorious German United Cup team had just completed the photo shoot in front of the famous Sydney Opera House when the warm Australian summer rain began.

Under the protection of an umbrella, Alexander Zverev clutched the trophy tightly and had a broad grin on his face. The weather didn’t suit the 26-year-old’s state of mind at all. What Zverev delivered in the nine days of the team event can easily be described as outstanding.

Zverev demonstrated outstanding fighting spirit, especially in crunch time. He made three of his four individual victories clear in the decisive third set, and in the final he fended off two match points against Poland’s Hubert Hurkacz. “Winning a title as a team is something very special,” said Zverev, “you can’t ask for anything better to start the new year.”

Kerber and Zverev present the United Cup trophy in Sydney

Bed rest at 5:45 a.m. for marathon man Zverev

However, Germany’s number one didn’t just demonstrate his ability to stay on the pitch. The time between matches was unusually short. In the knockout phase, Zverev played six games in three days.

“To be honest, the United Cup is more difficult than a Grand Slam,” said Zverev, alluding to the physical exertion. “At a slam you might have to play five sets, but then you have a day off. You have time to recover and recharge your battery. Maybe not to 100, but at least to 90 percent. It’s different here.”

After the semi-final victory against hosts Australia, when Zverev won the decisive match tiebreak 15:13 in the mixed doubles alongside Laura Siegemund, he only went to bed at 5:45 a.m. “Then you sleep for a few hours and know that you will play two matches again. But the exertion is worth it when you win this trophy with the team,” said Zverev.

Cheers in Sydney! Zverev & Siegemund secure Germany title

Once Kerber had to “save Zverev’s ass”

Zverev didn’t win the United Cup alone, which is relatively difficult in a team event. In the semifinals, it was Angelique Kerber who laid the foundation for success with her first win after maternity leave. “She was the MVP and saved my ass,” summed up Zverev.

But the first German title at a major team event since 1993 is primarily thanks to him. “Sascha completed a marathon here and survived it. I’m very proud of him for how he performed, especially when he had two match points against him. He is without a doubt the man of the week,” enthused Kerber.

After the first emotional highlight of 2024, the first really big thing is just around the corner: the Australian Open in Melbourne (January 14th to 28th in the live stream on discovery+).

In the past, Zverev has often had a promising start to the first Grand Slam tournament of the year. With the exception of 2023, when he returned after a seven-month injury break, Melbourne was a good place for Zverev – at least in the first week.

Zverev: Novak Djokovic is the big favorite

In 2020 he dominated his opponents until the semi-final defeat against Dominic Thiem and only lost a set in the quarter-finals against Stan Wawrinka. In the following two years, Zverev also played big at the beginning and achieved quick victories before it was over in the quarter-finals (2021) and round of 16 (2022).

Zverev has so far been denied the big hit in Melbourne Park, but the omens this year are better than ever. Appearances at the United Cup give him a lot of self-confidence and the certainty that he can win several close matches in a row against top players.

Zverev has made a strong impression and there is currently no player he has to be afraid of. “Novak Djokovic is the big favorite and there are a few more players who can win the title. I hope I belong to that group,” he said.

For Zverev, the United Cup was more than just a warm-up for the Australian Open.

Kerber and Zverev present the United Cup trophy in Sydney

2024-01-08 11:42:00
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