No flag, but gold instead? Even without the honor of being the flag bearer, Alexander Zverev is looking forward to the Olympic Games. Memories of the coup three years ago could help.
Alexander Zverev’s anger over losing the flag bearer election has evaporated. “It’s okay,” said the tennis star after a training session at the Stade Roland Garros, shrugging his shoulders. Zverev, like the entire German tennis team, wanted to attend the opening ceremony of the Olympic Games on Friday – although not in the front row. Theoretically, there is a second chance to lead Team D as flag bearer: at the closing ceremony on August 11. But given the tight schedule in the tennis circus, Zverev is not planning on staying in Paris for such a long time. But he definitely wants to stay until the final day on August 4 – and then win his second Olympic gold.
“Yes, I want to win Paris,” the 27-year-old from Hamburg recently said about his Olympic goals: “That’s the plan.” Especially on his favorite surface, clay, and on Court Philippe Chatrier, where he was narrowly beaten by Spaniard Carlos Alcaraz in the final of the French Open seven weeks ago after a five-set thriller.
Zverev may not be able to “shake off” the second defeat in the second Grand Slam final so easily, said Davis Cup captain Michael Kohlmann, “but he now has a good chance of creating good memories again in another event.” And the chances are good.
Good draw – but how’s the knee?
The draw on Friday gave the number three seeded German a relatively easy opening opponent in Jaume Munar from Spain. In the quarterfinals, he could take revenge against US professional Taylor Fritz, who caused Zverev to be knocked out in the round of 16 at Wimbledon. In the next round, the 24-time Grand Slam tournament winner Novak Djokovic from Spain could be waiting. Another duel against Alcaraz would only be possible in the final on August 4.
The chances of winning gold have also increased because world number one Jannik Sinner from Italy had to withdraw due to illness. But how fit is Zverev himself? The knee injury he suffered at Wimbledon is no longer a major concern for him. Even the exhausting tournament in his hometown of Hamburg, with the narrow defeat in the final last Sunday against Frenchman Arthur Fils, apparently did not harm the healing process. “Hamburg was tough, but now it’s OK,” said Zverev.
Zverev has two chances of winning a medal at the Stade Roland Garros. He will be competing in the mixed doubles with Laura Siegemund, the number 1 seeded duo who performed brilliantly in the German victory in the United Cup at the beginning of the year. But the opening opponents Katerina Siniakova and Tomas Machac from the Czech Republic should not be underestimated.
Zverev is not lacking motivation. “This is the biggest event of the year,” said the fourth-ranked player in the world rankings. His Olympic victory three years ago in Tokyo was not only a huge sporting success, but also gave him an enormous boost in public popularity. The many tears of joy and almost childlike enthusiasm made Zverev more approachable for many sports fans. The memories of this will “certainly come back” in Paris, said Kohlmann.
Living in “youth hostel style”
Unlike the Corona Games in Tokyo, the tennis tournament will again be played in front of a full house, and Zverev can also enjoy life in the Olympic Village more carefree. The tennis millionaire, who usually stays in luxury hotels on the ATP tour, is “honestly looking forward to the tennis players’ shared flat” with spartan furnishings, as doubles player Tim Pütz revealed: “A bit like a youth hostel, to be honest. Really funny. You only get one every four years.”
Just like the chance to be the flag bearer. In the men’s competition, this went to Dennis Schröder, while Zverev was clearly defeated by the basketball world champion in the vote by fans and the German Olympic team. “I’m pretty sure that this will motivate him more than it will bother him so much that he plays worse,” said Kohlmann.
The German Tennis Association is hoping for at least “one medal” in Paris, where three-time Grand Slam tournament winner Angelique Kerber is playing her last tournament before retiring, as coach Kohlmann confirmed: “But we wouldn’t object if it were more.”
Source: Stern
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