Alexander Zverev

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‘Journalist’ Djokovic grills Zverev on space exploration as AO presser goes rogue!

Spoiler:

Pair shares fun exchange on media day in Melbourne
January 11, 2025
Alexander Zverev and Novak Djokovic during an exhibition event on Thursday in Melbourne.
Daniel Pockett/Getty Images
Alexander Zverev and Novak Djokovic during an exhibition event on Thursday in Melbourne.
By ATP Staff
Novak Djokovic is an expert at catching his rivals off-guard on court at the Australian Open, but the Serbian did not have a racquet in hand on Friday when he threw a curve ball at Alexander Zverev in Melbourne.

The No. 2 in the PIF ATP Rankings, Zverev had just finished his pre-tournament press conference when a late question came in from Djokovic, whose voice emerged from the back of the media room.

“Can I have a question, please?,” said the record 10-time Australian Open champion and 24-time major winner, apparently now also a credentialed journalist at the opening Grand Slam event of 2025. His intervention prompted a jokey response from Zverev.

“Yes, you're going to win your 25th Grand Slam. We're all going to be happy,” said Zverev. “Yay, Novak Djokovic, once again.”

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Yet like any good reporter with an editor breathing down their neck, Djokovic stuck to his task in pursuit of the real story at hand. “We know that you love the universe, planetary systems. Can you tell us what attracts you to the space exploration subject?” he asked.

Zverev thought for a moment about the seemingly random question before smiling and delivering a philosophical answer: “Trying to figure out the unknown. Is that a good answer? Trying to figure out the unknown. We believe that we know stuff, but actually we know very little. Learning with the process.”

It All Adds Up

Djokovic used his follow-up to turn the exchange to Zverev’s tennis, and the German’s pursuit of a maiden major title in Melbourne. Well, sort of…

“Do you think that the answer of winning a Grand Slam lies in space?” asked the former World No. 1 mischievously.

Quick as a flash, Zverev had his retort ready: “I think the answer of winning a Grand Slam is you letting me win one!”

https://www.atptour.com/en/news/zverev- ... ew-presser

[Damian]

6. Could Zverev Close The Gap To No. 1? After a stellar year, during which he returned to his career high of No. 2 in the PIF ATP Rankings, Alexander Zverev may fancy his chances at beginning to close the gap to Sinner in the battle for the No. 1 spot. The German would have to wait until the final in Melbourne to reignite their Lexus ATP Head2Head series (Zverev leads 4-2) but could benefit from an early exit form the Italian World No. 1, who is the reigning champion. Zverev is a two-time major finalist and will aim to clinch his maiden Grand Slam title during the 2025 season.

https://www.atptour.com/en/news/scoutin ... -open-2025

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Zverev makes fast start at Australian Open

Spoiler:

German chasing first major
January 12, 2025
Alexander Zverev in action in Melbourne.
Getty Images
Alexander Zverev in action in Melbourne.
By ATP Staff
Alexander Zverev made a smooth start in the quest to win his first major at the Australian Open, where he moved past French wild card Lucas Pouille 6-4, 6-4, 6-4 to reach the second round in Melbourne.

Zverev arrived in Melbourne having won two matches at the United Cup. However, he withdrew ahead of Germany’s quarter-final clash against Kazakhstan due to a bicep strain.

The German seemed to show little sign of discomfort against Pouille, hitting 37 winners and saving both break points he faced to advance after two hours and 20 minutes in the pair’s first Lexus ATP Head2Head meeting.

Into the second round for the ninth consecutive year, Zverev is hoping this is just the start of a two-week journey in Melbourne. The 27-year-old, who is aiming to become the first German man to win a major since Boris Becker at the AO in 1996, will next play Spaniard Pedro Martinez.

It All Adds Up

Zverev is in the same half of the draw as record 24-time major winner Novak Djokovic and third-seeded Spaniard Carlos Alcaraz. The two-time semi-finalist can’t meet either Djokovic or Alcaraz until the semi-final stage, with the Serbian seeded to face the Spaniard in the quarter-finals.

https://www.atptour.com/en/news/zverev- ... 025-sunday

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Rock-solid Zverev rolls through at Australian Open

Spoiler:

German defeats Martinez to reach R3 at Melbourne major
January 15, 2025
Alexander Zverev in action on Wednesday at the Australian Open.
William West/Getty Images
Alexander Zverev in action on Wednesday at the Australian Open.
By ATP Staff
Alexander Zverev was forced to find a solution Wednesday, but did so in clinical fashion to book his spot in the third round at the Australian Open.

The second seed produced a measured performance to prevail 6-1, 6-4, 6-1 over Pedro Martinez in and improve to 2-0 in the pair's Lexus ATP Head2Head series. Zverev adjusted well to the variety in the Spaniard’s game inside Rod Laver Arena, where he attacked the net with ease to win 77 per cent (23/30) of net points, according to Infosys Stats.

“Usually I play 7-6 in the fifth to entertain you guys a bit, [but] I’m getting older so I have to shorten things up a little bit,” Zverev said of his one-hour, 54-minute win. “Hopefully there will be a lot more of that in the later rounds. I really like playing night matches here, I think the atmosphere is even better at night. Every time I get the opportunity to come out here in a night session, I like to make the most of it.”


Two-time major finalist Zverev may not be satisfied with his unforced error count (22), but the nature of his victory will provide a confidence boost as he seeks to improve on last year’s run to the semi-finals. Last year in Melbourne, Zverev played 21 sets in the lead-up to his semi-final defeat to Daniil Medvedev, but he is yet to drop a set after two three-set triumphs to start this year’s campaign.

Martinez, the No. 44 in the PIF ATP Rankings, moved Zverev around with his crafty slice and effective use of the drop shot, but came unstuck by the ruthlessness of the German when under pressure. Zverev saved all six of the break points he faced en route to reaching the third round in Melbourne for an eighth time.

It All Adds Up

After a dazzling season last year, in which he returned to a career-high of World No. 2 and won ATP Masters 1000 titles in Rome and Paris, Zverev has made a statement start to 2025. The 27-year-old is now 4-0 after two victories at the United Cup in Perth.

As he continues his quest to become the first German man to win a major since Boris Becker at the 1996 Australian Open, Zverev will next face Jacob Fearnley. The Briton backed up his impressive win over Nick Kyrgios by rallying past Arthur Cazaux 3-6, 7-5, 6-2, 6-3.

https://www.atptour.com/en/news/zverev- ... -wednesday

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