Alexander Zverev is hoping for a big hit in Melbourne. The Olympic champion is already in top form before the Australian Open. For Angelique Kerber, however, it’s about other things.
After the perfect start to the season at the United Cup, Alexander Zverev and Angelique Kerber also want to cause a sensation at the Australian Open. But the requirements for the two best German tennis professionals couldn’t be more different.
While Zverev already showed strong performances in the second half of 2023 and won four of his five individual matches in the team competition in Sydney, Kerber is still looking for form and rhythm at the beginning of her comeback after a year and a half of maternity leave.
“I’m very excited to be here and see all the faces again after 18 months,” said Kerber, who won the tennis spectacle in Melbourne in 2016 and then jumped into the Yarra River in exuberance. A repeat of the action, which was based on a bet back then, is unlikely this time. After all, Kerber had not played a match since Wimbledon 2023 until her comeback at the United Cup. But she emphasized: “I still have the fire.”
Lots of highlights this year
The appearances alongside Zverev in Sydney were the perfect start to an exciting year with the Olympic Games in Paris as another highlight. “I had five tough matches here. Now I know a little better where I stand,” said the 35-year-old, who was unlucky with the draw. In the first round Kerber will face the American Danielle Collins. If she wins, she would then meet the Polish world number one Iga Swiatek.
Kerber wants to let it all happen to him. For her, everything since the birth of her daughter Liana has been a matter of getting used to it. “This will probably be the biggest challenge of my career,” Kerber said shortly before her return to the tennis tour.
In Australia she is supported by her family. “The family knows the little one and has experienced the rhythm and processes,” said Kerber. “Then I know when I go onto the pitch that everything is under control and Liana is in good hands. That’s the most important thing for me.”
Zverev back in form
For Zverev, however, everything is as usual and yet completely different than last year. Because in 2023 the Olympic champion was in a similar situation to Kerber this time. After a long injury break, Zverev also didn’t know exactly where he stood. A year ago he lost all the singles at the United Cup, and in Melbourne it was over in the second round.
This time, however, Zverev is one of the biggest challengers to top favorite Novak Djokovic. In Sydney he beat strong opponents like Stefanos Tsitsipas and Hubert Hurkacz and showed that he is ready for the first highlight of the season. “I feel good, the days in Sydney were great,” said Zverev, who will face Dominik Koepfer in the German duel in Melbourne in the first round.
Germany’s tennis legend Boris Becker has a lot of confidence in Zverev in Melbourne. “I think the stars are very good for him,” said the expert for the TV channel Eurosport in a media round. “You can count him among the narrower circle of favorites in Melbourne. Anything other than a minimum of a second week would surprise me. I believe that we will see a very strong Sascha Zverev in Melbourne.”
Zverev used the days after Sydney to regain some strength. After all, he has a lot planned for this year. “For me, next year will be a year where I don’t want to set any limits. Let’s see how it goes,” Zverev said at the end of last year.
His big goal remains to win a Grand Slam tournament, and he also wants to make a big impression at the Olympics in Paris. Also in mixed doubles with Kerber? “The plan is of course that we want to play together,” revealed Zverev.
Source: Stern
I am Pierce Boyd, a driven and ambitious professional working in the news industry. I have been writing for 24 Hours Worlds for over five years, specializing in sports section coverage. During my tenure at the publication, I have built an impressive portfolio of articles that has earned me a reputation as an experienced journalist and content creator.
