Alexander Zverev and Co. celebrated the first triumph of the new year extensively in Sydney. Zverev, who played brilliantly, popped the champagne corks and team boss Torben Beltz announced a long night.
But after the well-deserved victory party at the United Cup, Germany’s tennis aces quickly turned their attention to the next big goal. After all, the Australian Open begins in Melbourne on Sunday, where Zverev, Angelique Kerber and the other German tennis professionals want to make the next positive headlines.
Rest before the Australian Open
In order to be successful at the first Grand Slam tournament of the new season, there will be a bit of rest in the coming days. “It’s particularly important for me now that I recover well. And then we’ll see how I can play in Melbourne,” said Kerber, for whom the team competition was the first appearance after her maternity leave. “I had five tough matches here. Now I know a little better where I stand,” said the 35-year-old, who therefore canceled her participation in the WTA tournament in Adelaide at short notice.
Five tough matches – that was especially true for Zverev. The Olympic champion won four of his five singles, had to go over three sets four times – and also played all mixed games. In particular, the triple double shift against Greece on Friday, Australia on Saturday and Poland on Sunday took a toll. “I think this format, especially the last three days when I had to play six games in three days, is perhaps even harder than a Grand Slam tournament,” said Zverev. “At a Grand Slam you can play five sets, but then you have a day off.”
Zverev will now take that time before the preparation for the Australian Open picks up speed again. Last year he was eliminated in the second round in Melbourne after losing all of his singles at the United Cup. This time he travels to the Yarra River with a lot of confidence.
