Sports can offer brothers an opportunity to make a name for themselves individually and then again for the family specifically. It is almost as if an athletic gene is passed from a father and mother, and then from one sibling to the other. Often an intensity almost a rivalry results. That seems to nurture a seedling of talent that can lead to each of them becoming towering performers.
Paging through various record books reveals how brothers have fostered brotherly success. Dizzy and Daffy Dean (who should be No. 1 in the “Best Names In Sports” category) were Major League Baseball stars. Many baseball accomplishments were enjoyed by the following trios – Felipe, Jesus and Matty Alou; Dom, Joe and Vince DiMaggio; and Bengie, Jose, and Yadier Molina. It supports the axiom that if two are good, three can be great.
Additional outstanding brother combinations can be found in American football- Peyton and Eli Manning; in soccer (or real football) – Rio and Anton Ferdinand; and in basketball – Marc and Pau Gasol. Family tandems have gained attention in hockey – Daniel and Henrik Sedin; in Formula 1 – Michael and Ralf Schumacher; and in NASCAR – Kurt and Kyle Busch. They also grab notice in golf – Edoardo and Francesco Molinari; in rugby – Rory and Tony Underwood; and even, in boxing – Vitali and Wladimir Klitschko.
Whether it is on the recreational or competitive level, the nature of tennis promotes family participation. In fact, it would be fair to say that, in certain situations, the game encourages “brotherliness”. Just look at what the US’s Bob and Mike Bryan, and Andy and Jamie Murray of Great Britain have accomplished in their careers. In bygone days, New Yorker’s John and Patrick McEnroe, and South African’s Byron and Wayne Black were impressive. Belgian’s Christophe and Olivier Rochus, though not well known, can’t be overlooked. Neither can the “A” troika of Indian brothers – Anand, Ashok and Vijay Amritraj, along with American’s Doug, Jeff and John Austin, (whose sisters, Pam and Tracy, were WTA performers).
Tim and Tom Gullikson were the initial poster boys for “Twin Tennis.” The Bryans, of course, took up the crusade and surpassed everything that the duo from La Crosse, Wisconsin had achieved.
While Christian and Ryan Harrison are gaining notice further afield than Florida, Alexander and Mischa Zverev have become the brothers to watch. In Halle, Germany, they have major roles in the Gerry Weber Open show.
Mischa, the 29-year-old, is a 6’3” left-hander, first played the tournament in 2007. He achieved back-to-backed quarterfinal appearances in 2009 and ’10, where he was defeated by countrymen Tommy Haas 7-6, 6-2, and Benjamin Becker 7-6, 6-0. He reached the Last 8 again in 2013, and Roger Federer, the tournament winner, ransacked him, 6-0. 6-0.
Alexander, who is nine years younger and three inches taller than his brother, made his Halle debut in 2015 and lost to Ivo Karlovic of Croatia, 6-7, 6-3, 6-3 in the second round. Last year, the right-hander, who is nicknamed Sascha, was a 6-2, 5-7, 6-3 finalist to compatriot, Florian Mayer.
Their paths into the spotlight have varied dramatically. Using 2014 as a starting point, Mischa, who had been contending with a variety of injuries over a period of time, was No. 724 and Alexander was No. 137. A year later, both moved higher. Mischa reached No. 172 and Alexander, No. 83. In 2016, their results soared. Mischa finished the year at No. 51. (Alexander is one of the players who have been utilized to promote the ATP Next Gen finals that will be staged in Milan, Italy in mid-November), skyrocketed to No. 24. When the 2017 Halle began, Mischa was No.29 (a career high) and Alexander was No. 12. (His career high was No. 10 on May 22, 2017.)
The Zverevs possess a unique compatibility built on an appreciation and fondness for one another. Each has continually said he draws inspiration from the other. Their parents, Alexander Sr., a former touring pro who is their coach, and Irina, who is also a recognized teaching professional, grew up in Russia, but moved to Hamburg, Germany to take advantage of the work opportunities available.
The brother’s playing styles, as do their heights, differ. Mischa, taking after his father, is an unrelenting serve and volleyer. Alexander, who appears to be as leggy as he is lanky, racks groundstrokes like a pulsing muscle stimulating machine. Simply stated, they go about winning points by remaining true to their personal mindset. Brothers being brothers, they admit that competition is part of just about everything they do. But, winning and trying to be better does not impact their core, which is being Mischa and Alexander – The Zverev Brothers.
