The debate over which tennis player deserves the honour of being called the greatest of all time has many different arguments but Alexander Zverev believes the deciding factor are the numbers in their careers.
For years there has been arguments for and against Rafael Nadal, Roger Federer and Novak Djokovic each being called the ultimate GOAT. Between them they have won a total of 60 Grand Slam titles and spent more than 800 weeks as world No.1. Since March 2004 the only player outside of the trio to reach the top spot is Andy Murray.
Zverev is one of only a few players in history to beat each member of the Big Three at least three times on the Tour. This season alone he defeated Djokovic twice and Nadal once. As to which one of his peers is the best of all time, Zverev believes the deciding factor should be their achievements in the sport and not their popularity.
“I know a lot of tennis fans are more for Roger or Rafa, but you can’t argue against the statistics,” Zverev told the German publication Tennis Magazine. “Novak has won the most Grand Slams with Roger and Rafa. He’s been number one in the world for most weeks and has finished number one most years, Novak has won most of the Masters titles and a lot more. You can’t always go against the numbers and say that Roger or Rafa are better because we’ve all been fans of them from an early age. Sometimes you have to look at things realistically and Novak’s records are simply a fact.”
Djokovic ended his 2020 campaign with a tour-leading five titles, including three Grand Slam trophies. He has won a total of 55 matches which is four less than Zverev who also won five tour titles, as well as a gold medal at the Tokyo Olympic Games.
Zverev’s success on the court coincides with what has been a difficult past few months away from it. Earlier this year fresh allegations of sexual assault was made against him by former partner Olga Sharypova during an interview which was published on Slate.com. The 24-year-old has denied the allegations and said he has launched legal action.
Meanwhile, the ATP has launched their own investigation concerning an alleged incident which took place during the 2019 Shanghai Masters. Sharypova said she was punched by the tennis player during their stay at the hotel.
“As far as the ATP examination is concerned, I am sure that it will be settled relatively soon,” Zverev said. “We are also taking legal action in Russia against people who accuse me of evil. The truth always comes out. Everything that happens in life outside of the tennis court will also be noticed on the tennis court. I think that this year more calm has returned to my life. I have the right people around me. That is very positive.”
It is unclear as to when the ATP will conclude their investigation.
Zverev is currently coached on the Tour by his father Alex Zverev sr. A former tennis player himself who represented the Soviet Union at the Summer Universiade, Goodwill Games and the Davis Cup.
“Papa is better than (Ivan) Lendl. For me, that’s not a question at all,” the world No.4 said of his father. “I think it was an experience for me to see what and how other coaches think about my tennis. For me, besides my father, (David) Ferrer was the best coach I had in my life. But unfortunately we had to stop last year due to the corona situation. He’s the only one I’d say I’d try again with.”
In 2018 the German paired up with former world No.1 Lendl but their time together was a turbulent journey which lasted less than a year. Zverev once claimed his former coach talked more about “golf and his dog” than tennis. Shortly afterwards the Czech announced the ending of their collaboration midway through the Hamburg Open.
“It didn’t work out well with Lendl. It’s not a secret. Personally, we may not have been a good match either,” Zverev reflected. “We just saw things differently on the tennis court, during training sessions. I am someone in my sport too, I am a personality. I am not someone who says yes and amen to everything. I also challenge opinions very often, I always ask why you see it that way and sometimes say, I see it differently. You can’t join my team and turn my life and career upside down just because you have a different opinion than me.”
Zverev is set to start his 20212 season at the ATP Cup in Sydney.
