Germany’s Alexander Zverev admits he will have his work cut out when he lock horns with Novak Djokovic at the ATP Cup later this week in what could be a crucial match.
Both players enter the upcoming tie with their country already recording 2-1 wins over Canada. Although Serbia is currently at their top of the Group because they have dropped the fewest sets so far in the tournament. With only one team being able to qualify for the semi-final stage, the upcoming encounter will decide if it will be team Zverev or team Djokovic.
Looking ahead to the clash, Zverev believes his next nemesis will be an even tougher opponent than normal due to the fact they will play in Melbourne Park. The venue of the Australian Open which Djokovic has previously described as a second ‘home’ for him after winning the Melbourne major a record eight times so far in his career.
“I think we both played a typical kind of first match of the season, both against Denis — still, it’s going to be interesting,” Zverev previewed. “He’s still the world No. 1. I think this is the court he feels most comfortable on in the world, so I think beating him here is definitely the most difficult place to beat him.”
The 23-year-old German has beaten Djokovic twice before on the Tour in 2017 and 2018. Although he trails 2-4 in their overall head-to-head. Their most recent clash took place in November at the ATP Finals where the 17-time Grand Slam champion triumphed 6-3, 7-6(4). Despite the high-profile of both players, they are yet to play a match against each other which has gone the full distance.
So what will be key for Zverev to win in Melbourne? In his view he just simply has to ‘step up his game.’
“I think generally when you play Novak, you have to step up your game, same way when you play Roger or Rafa,” he said.
“I really have to go for bigger shots and at some stages also be patient. You have to learn how to manage yourself in a way. I think that’s very important.’
“Against him, you know that you’re going to run a lot. You know that he’s going to take initiative of the point that he can. You know that he’s going to change direction the most that he can, especially against tall players like me.”
With a lot at stake this week at the team competition, Zverev says he hopes to guide his country to the team title. Branding the event as important as the Davis Cup which has gone under various transformations in recent years.
“Winning a team event, winning something for your country it’s one of the biggest things in our sport,” he stated. “ I think the ATP Cup is just as big as the Davis Cup right now, with the new format that the Davis Cup is having, so it’s — we want to go match by match.”
Germany will face Serbia on Thursday.
