Alexander Zverev weighs in on Jannik Sinner’s future: “It won’t take long”
Alexander Zverev opens up in a lengthy interview with *Corriere della Sera* on the eve of the ATP Finals in Turin. He was diagnosed with type 1 diabetes when he was just four years old. It was a difficult time, during which doctors expressed doubts about his ability to play tennis at a high level. It was his mother, above all, who believed in his dreams and refused to accept those limitations: “She was my first coach in Hamburg: I owe my foundation to her; she literally taught me how to play. And she was the one who told me for the first time: ‘Sascha, if you want to, you can become a great tennis player.’”
The German also recalled the courage Irina showed in the face of the diagnosis: “It took courage to respond by saying, ‘My son can be and do whatever he wants.’” She also played a decisive role from a technical standpoint: “I owe my two-handed backhand to her—it’s 100 percent her doing.”
Zverev also acknowledged the importance of his father, Alexander Sr., who has always been by his side as his coach: “I always thought that with my father by my side, I could make my childhood dreams come true. And now that we’ve achieved this together, it’s even more wonderful.” In the interview, the world No. 1 also spoke about his main rivals, Jannik Sinner and Carlos Alcaraz. The German expressed great respect for the South Tyrolean, who is currently recovering from physical issues.
“Jannik is a champion for many good reasons. He knew when to take a break, and he’s working on his recovery. I don’t think it’ll take him long to return as one of the best players on the planet—it’s not like you forget how to play in the meantime. Personally, I can’t wait to face him.” Zverev then responded to comments from those who pointed out that his successes this season came without having to directly defeat Sinner or Alcaraz: “I can face and try to beat whoever I find on the other side of the net. It has nothing to do with the fact that Jannik suffered from heatstroke in Paris and that Carlos was eliminated by Shelton at Flushing—whom, incidentally, I defeated in the final.”
