In the past few days and weeks, speculation made the hearts of many tennis fans beat faster. Is there a collaboration between Alexander Zverev and tennis legend Boris Becker? Our expert is skeptical for several reasons. You can also see the statements in the video above.
It would be a real tennis hammer: For a long time, rumors about possible cooperation between German number one in tennis, Alexander Zverev, and icon Boris Becker. The former tennis player Andrea Petković recently said that both were in contact.
Zverev reacted to speculation around the ATP tournament in Monte Carlo.
“Boris and I have a great connection. If something happens, let’s let you know,” said Zverev at “Sky”. “You can speculate and make a story of it. I don’t say anything about it.”
A clear Dementi sounds different.
Perfect match for tennis romantics, but three reasons speak against it
In fact, the combination of Zverev and Becker would be the perfect match for tennis romantics. “The former number one in the world may train Alexander Zverev on the way to number one,” summarizes RTL/NTV reporter Marc Gabel.
But: Although it may be the perfect match for nostalgics, “but I think, beyond an advisory function, it won’t work,” says the tennis expert. And for several reasons.
On the one hand, Boris Becker would not be the ideal coach for the upcoming European clay court tournaments. “Because sand was not part of his declared favorite coverings,” said Gabel. Becker did not get any of his almost 50 tournament victories on sand.
On the other hand, there would be an urgent logistical problem. Becker could not accompany Zverev to many tournaments. “For example, not in Wimbledon or not at the US Open,” explains Gabel. “Because he would be refused to enter because of his conviction.”
Possible option: Becker as a consultant of Zverev?
The most important reason from the perspective of the RTL/NTV reporter is: “Zverev’s coach is and remains his father.” Zverev repeatedly emphasized that on every opportunity. “Nobody knows him as well as his father, nobody can affect him as well as his father did in the past.”
All of this speaks clearly against a closer cooperation between Zverev Junior and Becker. Not excluded, however, that there is a kind of consultant function. Because Becker can “advance the 27-year-old in an advisory role in the next few weeks,” believes Gabel.
Zverev and Becker have been loosely associated with each other in the past, and there has been no cooperation. The German number one is currently in a sporting crisis, recently surprisingly lost to Arthur Fils from France in Miami’s round of 16.
Becker worked as a coach of tennis superstar Novak Djokovic from 2013 and 2016. The six-time Grand Slam champion has been a TV expert for many years.