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Wimbledon 2024: How will Alexander Zverev cope on grass?
After all these years, Alexander Zverev still seems to be suspicious of grass tennis. The rallies are rather short. The phases in which the top German player can do little against strong servers are sometimes painfully long. For Zverev, it will be primarily a question of mindset to finally improve his mixed record at the classic Wimbledon.
“I have to honestly admit that on grass I find it very, very difficult to maintain concentration,” said the French Open finalist on Sky before the start of the tournament: “And I find it very difficult not to get bored during the match.”
Zverev has already reached the finals of the majors in Paris and New York, and twice in the semifinals in Melbourne. In Wimbledon, where he will face Spaniard Roberto Carballes Baena (world number 65) in his first match, the Olympic champion has only made it to the round of 16 once in seven appearances. Zverev brings a strong foundation with his powerful serve and his secure baseline play.
Former tournament champion Michael Stich also sees it this way, and despite his previous problems, he sees Zverev as one of the extended favorites. “Especially after his success at the French Open, he should have so much self-confidence that he knows he can go far in Wimbledon,” Stich told Sport Bild. And added that it was “always a question of mindset.”
Lawn tennis remains special, even if the days of the classic serve-and-volley seem to be over since the change in the seed. Hardly any player today is constantly looking for the way to the net, like the three-time champion Boris Becker once was. Becker once spoke of a “lost art” in relation to volleys. Zverev, who found himself in a solvable tournament tree, should perhaps discover it for himself.
“Zverev should integrate the volleys into his game in such a way that they represent added value,” said Stich: “That doesn’t mean that he always has to try the difficult volley, it’s more about the attitude of forcing the opponent to hit passing shots, which in turn contains a source of error.” Because Zverev, with his 1.98 meters and long arms, has a considerable wingspan that can impress opponents.
2024-06-30 12:15:00
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