Boris Becker refuses to jump on Alexander Zverev hype train
Six-time Grand Slam winner Boris Becker has underplayed the hype surrounding 19-year-old German sensation Alexander Zverev, who has been earmarked as the next big thing in tennis. Although Becker has acknowledged Zverev’s talent, he feels that the teenager will need more than just talent to succeed.
Back in October last year, Zverev became the youngest since Novak Djokovic to enter the ATP top 20. Although he has won only one title so far, the teenager has been predicted to be a future World no.1 once the current big four’s dominance is over. The German showed glimpses of his potential in the recently concluded Australian Open, where he took Rafael Nadal to the brink before losing to the Spaniard in five sets in the round of 32.
While everyone has been raving about Zverev, fellow German Boris Becker chose to be critical of the teenager following his shock loss to Belgium’s Steve Darcis in the Davis Cup on Sunday. He said, “The Grand Slam achievements are so far manageable for Alex. The next step would be that he makes the second week, so then he will go up faster in the world rankings.”
He has a lot of talent, but so does ten others.
Becker
Becker, who had won the Wimbledon at the age of 17, believes that Zverev cannot rely only on his talent to stand out from the crowd.
“When it comes to pure talent, he can keep up with everyone.” Said Becker. “He has a lot of talent, but so does ten others,” Becker added, reported Sport1.de.
The 49-year-old’s comments come just a couple of days after Zverev had expressed his interest in hiring Becker as his coach in the next couple of years. “Boris could definitely help me to improve my game, but if I want to work with him, first I have to win some tournaments because at the moment I cannot afford it. So if I wanted to do it, I would have to wait at least a couple of years,” Zverev had said.
Becker though has appreciated how well Zverev’s family has supported him and his brother so far. He said, “His father is a former Davis Cup player, Mom has been on the tennis courts for decades, his older brother Mischa is an important building block, he has a family environment that supports and protects him."