Former three-time Wimbledon champion Boris Becker has predicted that his country’s rising star Alexander Zverev will not become the world’s best player anytime soon.
Becker, who guided the great Novak Djokovic to three Grand Slam titles, including back-to-back Wimbledon crowns in 2014 and 2015 and was an integral part of Team Djokovic until last year, spoke to German website tennismagazin about Zverev’s prospects for the 2018 season.
“For him, it was a year of breakthrough. The second year is to consolidate. That gets even harder. The changing room does not sleep. The other players now know what strategy they must play against him to succeed. His world ranking list is remarkable considering his results at the Grand Slams. They are still expandable. Time is playing for Zverev. But you should not expect him to move from fourth to one in six months. That would be unrealistic.”
Meanwhile, Barbara Rittner, Germany’s Fed Cup captain, shared her views on former women’s No. 1 Angelique Kerber’s choice of Wim Fissette as her new coach and Julia Gorges’ recent surge in form.
Rittner said: “I think that’s the right decision to try something new. Torben Beltz did an excellent job. But everything has its time. Sometimes you need a new address. Wim Fisette is a calm and thoughtful man who works on a certain plan. But it also has to be human. Angie is a player who cares that she feels good.”
Rittner added: “Julia is more fit than ever. Everything is right with her right now. If she keeps playing, it’s only a matter of time before she’s in the top ten. That’s where she belongs right now. I’m impressed by how calm and steady she has been in things this year. She is currently playing her best tennis by far.”
