Alexander Zverev’s triumph at the ATP Finals has proven that he has the ability to become a superstar of the sport, according to former world No.1 Boris Becker.
Zverev recently scored back-to-back wins over Roger Federer and Novak Djokovic to win the season-ending championships at the age of 21. Becoming the youngest player to do so since Djokovic back in 2008. The triumph is the biggest title of his career and brings his overall title collection on the tour to 10.
“It’s quite astonishing, winning this title, beating two such players back-to-back, Roger and Novak, in semifinals and finals. Means so much. I’m incredibly happy and incredibly proud of this moment right now.” Zverev told reporters on Sunday.
Zverev’s win at the ATP Finals has drawn praise from Becker, who won the same tournament on three occasions. During an interview with BBC Sport, Becker said the world No.5 has the ability to become ‘a new superstar’ in the sport. Zverev is the only player outside of the big four to have won three or more titles at Masters level.
“For years we have been saying tennis needs new faces and strong new players – and he’s proved he is the best of the next generation,” Becker told the BBC.
“Beating Novak Djokovic in the final was a big upset and a big victory for Sascha (Zverev). It was the big match which we were all waiting for from him.
“Yes… he’s beaten Djokovic and Federer before, but to beat them back-to-back in one of the biggest tournaments in the world tells him, most importantly, but also the world, that he is going to be the next big thing.”
According to data provided by the ATP, Zverev has a higher winning percentage compared to Federer and won more titles than Andy Murray when they were his age. However, Nadal was the most successful of the group when he was the same age as Zverev. Winning 23 titles and achieving a ranking best of second in the world.
| Titles | Masters titles | Highest rank | W-L record | Winning % | |
| Alexander Zverev | 10 | 3 | 3 | 175-89 | 66.3% |
| Novak Djokovic | 11 | 4 | 3 | 185-68 | 73.1% |
| Rafael Nadal | 23 | 9 | 2 | 254-66 | 79.4% |
| Andy Murray | 8 | 2 | 4 | 155-65 | 70.4% |
| Roger Federer | 6 | 1 | 4 | 178-97 | 64.7% |
Note: figures based on player’s performances on the tour until the age of 21 years and 212 days.
Becker isn’t the only person predicting big things for Zverev in the future. Djokovic has said he believes he will be a threat at all future grand slam tournaments. The German has been yet to progress beyond the quarter-finals at the majors. The world No.1 also said that he would like to see Zverev one day beat his title tally.
“There’s a lot of similarities in terms of the trajectory of professional tennis, in our careers. Hopefully, he can surpass me. I sincerely wish him that.” Said Djokovic.
Despite the hype surrounding Zverev, he has pledged to keep grounded heading into the new season. Which he will kick-off in Perth at the Hopman Cup. The tournament begins on December 30th.
“Oh, Jesus. Oh my God. God. I mean I won one of those, he won five,” he said in response to Djokovic’s comment.
“He’s won, I don’t know what, 148 more titles than me, so let’s not go there for now.
“I hope I can be great, but let’s chill out for a little bit.”
Zverev ends 2018 with four titles won on the tour. Besides the ATP Finals, he also won trophies in Munich, Madrid and Washington.
