Roger Federer feels Alexander Zverev is the ‘full package’
World number 2 Roger Federer has praised German’s young sensation Alexander Zverev for his phenomenal progress and has called him the ‘full package’ in tennis. Although the 20-year-old lost to Federer in the ATP Finals group game, Zverev believes that he could still face Federer in the final.
Though Alexander Zverev failed to replicate another of his winning displays against Federer on Tuesday in the ATP Finals round-robin game where he lost 7-6(6) 5-7 6-1, the latter looked pleased with his opponent's display and paid a glowing tribute to the 20-year-old after the three-setter.
“I like what I‘m seeing in ‘Sascha… What I like about Zverev is he’s got the full package… the last six months of the season have given him everything he needs to work forward to… Then, of course, he’s only going to get stronger from here. This should be very encouraging for him and his team,” Federer said, reported Reuters.
Only Federer and Rafael Nadal have won more titles (5) than Zverev this season, and Federer places Zverev alongside the likes of the 22-year-old Nick Kyrgios and 18-year-old Canadian Denis Shapovalov, as the new generation players who have impressed him so far.
Federer said he was impressed not only with how the world number three plays the game but also with how he is looking further down the line to plan for his future in tennis.
“I see somebody who is working towards the future… he’s working towards how he could be playing when he’s 23, 24 in terms of his fitness, planning, organization, all these things.”
Zverev has won twice against Federer on tour and once in the Hopman Cup and also put up a tough fight against the Swiss ace on Tuesday. And although Federer managed to fend him off, for now, the man from Hamburg believes that he will face Federer again this Sunday in the final.
“It was a very positive match for me… I think if I continue having this level, I don’t know, maybe you’ll see me at the weekend,” said a confident Zverev.
With one win against Marin Cilic and then this loss, Zverev still has a great chance in the tournament if he prevails over Jack Sock in the next group game on Thursday.