World No.3 Alexander Zverev believes his form is ‘pretty much back’ as he aims to turn around his fortunes on the tour at this week’s Munich Open in Germany.
Since reaching the final of the Acapulco Open in February, the 21-year-old has failed to win back-to-back matches at four consecutive tournaments. His most recent loss was to Fabio Fognini at the Monte Carlo Masters. Overall, Zverev has won 12 out of 18 matches played so far this season. Placing him in 21st position in the ATP Race to London.
“Obviously I didn’t play my best the past few weeks. But I feel good on the court, I’m happy on the court and this is the most important thing,” Zverev said on Sunday. “I feel like my game is pretty much back on the practice courts in the way I hit the ball, but I just have to show it in the matches. I think I’ll have a few very tough matches and if I win them, I think I’m in good shape and good form. We’ll see how it goes.”
Guided by Ivan Lendl, Zverev admits that he has been distracted by things happening off the court. He is currently locked in a legal battle with his former manager Patricio Apey. Details of the case are private, but it is thought that Zverev’s former manager believes the contract between the two runs until at least 2023. Apey is the founder of ACE Group International. A talent and event management company that played a pivotal role in the creation of The Boodles Event that takes place in the lead up to Wimbledon.
“The story with my manager costs a lot of power right now. That’s why I spent the last few hours almost every day on the phone almost every day.” Tennis Magazin quoted Zverev as saying.
“That’s why the focus has been lost in recent weeks. But now it has calmed down and I can concentrate on tennis. I think that the situation will be resolved in a few days, but maybe only in a few months.”
If the legal dispute wasn’t enough, the reigning ATP Finals champion has also been dealing with other issues in his personal life. Including separating from his girlfriend Olga Sharypova and his father is currently in hospital for an unspecified reason.
Reflecting on his recent results on the tour, Zverev refuses to put the blame on Lendl. Who joined his team shortly before last year’s US Open. Although he admits that he has found it hard on the tour without the support of his father, who has played a pivotal part in his coaching team throughout his career.
“That’s not the reason for my performance. I call Ivan regularly. He watches my matches and advises me.” He stated. “One reason is rather that my father was not there in the past few weeks and is still missing here in Munich. In such difficult phases, I have been with my father more often than with Lendl. Because of that and of course for all the reasons, I hope my dad gets well soon.”
Yet to replicate the success he had at the ATP Finals in November, Zverev is confident that he will be able to return back to the winner’s circle in the near future as he improves. At present, the last two winners of the season-ending tournament have not won any other trophy on the tour. The other player is 2017 champion Grigor Dimitrov.
“You have phases in London where everything is going and you have the best time of your life and sometimes it does not work that way.” He explained. “But I think that if I can survive this phase, I can emerge stronger from it.”
Zverev faces a crucial few weeks on the tour with a total of 1850 points to defend in his next three tournaments. He is currently the reigning champion in both Munich and Madrid.
Zverev is the top seed in Munich this week. Granted a bye in the first round, he will play either Maximilian Marterer or Juan Ignacio Londero in his opening match.
Points Zverev is defending on the clay
– Munich: 250 (champion)
– Madrid: 1000 (champion)
– Rome: 600 (runner-up)
– Roland Garros: 360 (quarter-finalist)
