Alexander Zverev is in impressive form in Melbourne. The German’s first Grand Slam title seems within reach. There was just one thing he wouldn’t do under any circumstances.
Alexander Zverev’s game couldn’t exactly be described as a street sweeper. Germany’s currently best tennis player made short work of his opponent. In just two hours, the 29-year-old swept the overwhelmed Pedro Martínez from Spain 6:1, 6:4, 6:1 from Center Court at the Rod Laver Arena.
While still on the pitch, Zverev apologized for the lightning victory. “I’m getting older, so I have to shorten things a bit and can’t offer as much entertainment anymore,” Zverev said ironically in the interview. “But I hope that I can offer you more in the coming games,” he added to the audience.
Towards the end of the match, the spectators in the arena let the La Ola wave go through the stadium to at least get a bit of variety. The balance of power on the pitch was too one-sided. From the first rally, Zverev left no doubt that he came to the Australian Open to win the tournament. His serve was powerful and reliable as usual, the baseline game was almost error-free and even on the rare trips to the net he kept his nerve and conjured up beautiful volleys onto the center court.
In this form, the German will be difficult to stop on the way to his longed-for first Grand Slam title. He had tried it 36 times before, usually either an overpowering opponent or his own nerves stood in the way. But as relaxed as he appeared that evening, it’s hard to imagine that anything could upset him.
He made the game itself so one-sided that the tournament television presenter seemed to run out of questions during the interview. So she pointed out to Zverev that some players had competed in the tournament with new haircuts – especially the “mullet” that is popular in Australia, i.e. short all around and long at the back. Would he have one cut like that if he won? “No,” Zverev answered without hesitation. What does he think of his fashionable colleagues? “They’re idiots,” he said, laughing.
“No, seriously. I’m glad I still have all my hair,” he continued. “All I can say to the boys is: You’ll all go bald soon enough. So, make something of it and let it grow.” The audience cheered.
The German has the sympathy on his side in Melbourne anyway. The audience supports him in large numbers. And, as in the first game, his girlfriend, the actress Sophia Thomalla, was sitting in the stands again. When the cameras aren’t pointed at Zverev, they’re capturing Thomalla. The two are currently the glamor couple of world tennis.
The two will be in the spotlight again on Friday, when Zverev will face Kyrgios’ conqueror Jacob Fearnley in the third round. Zverev then hopes for an evening game again. He said he loved the night sessions. “Well,” asked the moderator with a view to the next round, “then you would like to submit an application to the tournament organizers?” The world number two was modest. “Oh, when it comes to times, I’m not in first place, Djokovic, Alcaraz and others are ahead of me. I’m only in fourth, fifth, sixth place,” he grinned.
The only important thing is that he comes first at the end of the tournament – when the winner’s trophy is awarded. Maybe he’ll get his hair cut after all.