Alexander Zverev: The engine is still sputtering
The elimination of Alexander Zverev in the round of 16 of the ATP Tour 500 tournament in Rotterdam against Tallon Griekspoor showed: It will still be a long, hard way back to the top of the world for the German number one.
by Jens Huiber
last edit:
Feb 16, 2023, 04:22 pm
Tallon Griekspoor tried an interesting tactic in the first set of his meeting with Alexander Zverev on Wednesday evening in Rotterdam: Almost whenever Zverev followed his shots to the net, Griekspoor offered the German a sliced backhand, which he easily scored. Or Griekspoor raised a praise that would not even have caused problems for Diego Schwartzman with a foot problem. Let alone the almost two meter tall German number one.
So it's no wonder that Zverev didn't win the first set brilliantly, but at least in a business-like manner. Why the 2021 Olympic champion changed the obviously profitable game idea after the 6: 4 remained a mystery. The solution is not the slight injury to the neck, for which Zverev was treated by the physiotherapist on the court. Because at that point Griekspoor was already in the lead with a break. And Zverev works from far behind the baseline.
Zverev doesn't take his chances
One would have expected a gentle hint from the German's well-occupied box, which would encourage Zverev to play more offensively. And things almost went well again if Alexander Zverev had used one of his break chances in the early phase of the third act.
So Tallon Griekspoor, plus Marc-Andrea Huesler and Michael Mmoh. That's not exactly the line-up of the New York Yankees around Babe Ruth, who went down in baseball history as Muderers' Row. But these are the solid ATP professionals that Alexander Zverev would not have failed in in recent years. And on which the returnee has already bitten his teeth this season.
What (still) is missing to the old glory? The self-confidence, the patience, maybe some physical fitness, match practice. According to reports, Zverev should play at eye level in training with players from the top ranks of the ATP charts. There hasn't been a real top comparison since the comeback on the tour. And training and matches are known to be two different things.
Next stops: Doha, Dubai and the US events
In addition, Zverev's opponents can once again rely on his serve breaking in crucial phases. Not always (like in the match against Soonwo Kwon), but then again against Griekspoor when a double fault sealed the decisive break in the third set.
The next few weeks will at least bring heavy tournament activity for Alexander Zverev. Doha, then Dubai, then the big events in Indian Wells and Miami. Let's see if the stuttering motor really gets going.