Zverev at Australian Open: Win & Critics Response

When Alexander Zverev had successfully completed his initially difficult opening game against the Canadian Gabriel Diallo, there was a small additional shift waiting for last year’s Australian Open finalist. In a humorous interview with former top player Andrea Petkovic in the Rod Laver Arena, Zverev spoke about his performance in the 6:7 (1:7), 6:1, 6:4, 6:2 and couldn’t resist a small dig at his critics.

After losing the first set, he became a little more aggressive, returned better and found his way into the game better. “That’s the way I have to play,” said Zverev. “I know that. I don’t need 58 experts to tell me that, or 80 million Germans to tell me that at every single Grand Slam I play.”

Top against Becker and Co.

Zverev knows that he will sometimes be viewed critically at home as long as he has not yet fulfilled his big dream of a Grand Slam title. Because last year was generally disappointing for the third-placed player in the world rankings, Germany’s tennis legend Boris Becker in particular criticized Zverev and, among other things, called for a new coach for Zverev.

Towards the end of the year, Zverev and Becker, who have actually known each other and been friends for a long time, publicly engaged in a small private feud. Zverev’s words were also aimed at the three-time Wimbledon winner. Even before the tournament began, he had criticized what he felt was not always fair reporting about him.

Becker was conciliatory after Zverev’s first appearance in Melbourne. “He loses the first set almost like he does every year. But in the end things went pretty well,” said Becker at Eurosport. “It was a very solid performance overall.”

This also applied to Yannick Hanfmann. The 34-year-old from Karlsruhe won his opening game against American qualifier Zachary Svajda 7:5, 4:6, 6:4, 7:6 (7:3) and followed Zverev into round two. Now there could be a duel with world number one Carlos Alcaraz.

There was an exuberant atmosphere on the new Party Court 6. The fans loudly cheered on Hanfmann and celebrated the Davis Cup pro’s progress after the match point was converted. Hanfmann captured the special moment with a selfie and signed numerous autographs.

It doesn’t continue until Wednesday

After Zverev, in conversation with Petkovic, humorously responded to a male viewer’s marriage proposal with the words: “Where’s the ring, man?” had refused, Zverev took two days off. Because the first round in Melbourne has lasted over three days for two years in order to enable the organizer to generate more income, Zverev will not be required again until Wednesday.

Then it’s against the Australian Alexei Popyrin or the French Alexandre Müller. “It won’t get any easier for me,” said Zverev, who lost in three sets against the Italian Jannik Sinner in the final in Melbourne last year.

Zverev had a hard time against Diallo at the beginning. The world number three seemed a bit nervous and unfocused and made twelve avoidable errors in the first set. The Canadian, on the other hand, started bravely and put Zverev in trouble with his powerful game. After 55 minutes, Zverev had to give up the first set in a tiebreak.

“After the first set I said to myself, it couldn’t get any worse,” said Zverev. “I gave him too many chances and played too defensively. The usual thing in a first-round game at a Grand Slam from me.”

Increase from the second sentence

But after that, the Hamburg native improved, while Diallo no longer seemed as focused. Zverev managed two quick breaks and won the second round. The 2021 Olympic champion now had the game under control. In the third set he managed the decisive break to make it 4:3, and in the fourth section he immediately took the service from his opponent. The rest was a formality for the German number one at around 30 degrees.

Because the match was scheduled for lunchtime in Melbourne, Zverev still had some time afterwards. “Maybe I’ll go to the casino. My brother won a lot of money there this week. Maybe I should try that too,” said the 28-year-old.