Alexander Zverev only averts another setback on his way to old strength with a lot of effort. At the ATP tournament in Dubai he prevailed against the strong Czech Jiri Lehecka. He is only partially satisfied with his performance and wants to learn from the "big ones".
Alexander Zverev didn't take a break the day after the real encouragement. Instead of resting and putting his feet up after the convincingly convincing round of 16 in Dubai, the top German player had a double appearance on Tuesday's plan alongside his friend Marcelo Melo. On the rocky road back to the old form, every rally counts and, above all, every sense of achievement.
His opening success in the emirate against the in-form Czech Jiri Lehecka was one that the former world number two wants to build on after the difficult first two months of the new season. Despite initial difficulties with the quarter-finalists of the Australian Open, Zverev "found a way" to a 4: 6, 6: 3, 6: 4 success, as he later stated with satisfaction and presented himself in a jubilant pose.
At the United Cup in Sydney, the top German player suffered a clear defeat against the world number 47 a few weeks ago in his first official tour match since the serious ankle injury last summer. Lehecka suffered. "I had absolutely no chance in this match, so of course I'm happy that I made progress and improved since then," said Zverev. While he then continued to stumble and did not find his best form until the end, Lehecka convinced in Melbourne. Most recently, the Czech just missed the final in Doha, Zverev was eliminated in the second round.
The way back towards the top of the world is a real feat for him - physically and mentally. The 25-year-old said recently that his preloaded joint is causing him less and less pain. A high physical level is not enough in the often competitive matches of the ATP Tour. A lot is decided in the head in crucial situations and Zverev stated that he wanted to learn something from Roger Federer, Rafael Nadal, Novak Djokovic and Andy Murray - from the greatest players of the past decades.
The Big Four have always distinguished themselves by successfully fighting their way to the finish line, even on weaker days. "The big ones usually find a way to win such matches." Zverev also wants to do that, who could now win a second match in a tournament for the first time this year. There is a chance of reaching the quarter-finals by beating Finland's Emil Ruusuvuori or Australia's Christopher O'Connell.
Most recently, Germany's tennis icon Boris Becker had shown "good things" with a view to Zverev's form. He sees him physically "at 100 percent again," said Becker at Eurosport: "Of course it's now about match practice, about tournaments, about the so-called match fitness, which of course you don't get in training. He just needs patience - these are the tough ones now weeks and months."
