Olympic champion Alexander Zverev is assured a altering of the guard is nearly full in males’s tennis with subsequent yr’s large silverware prone to be shared between Novak Djokovic, Daniil Medvedev and himself.
Germany’s Zverev beat Djokovic en path to gold on the Tokyo Olympics after which ended the yr by successful the ATP Finals title for the second time.
Djokovic received three of the yr’s Grand Slam titles however his outdated rivals Rafa Nadal and Roger Federer failed so as to add to their collections with the trio tied on 20 majors every.
World quantity two Medvedev beat Djokovic within the U.S. Open ultimate whereas Zverev additionally reached two Grand Slam semis this yr.
Heading into the brand new season Federer, 40, remains to be recovering from knee surgical procedure whereas Nadal, 35, is within the early levels of his comeback from a foot damage.
“I believe subsequent yr might be similar to the final six months from this yr,” Zverev, named German Sportsman of the 12 months this week, instructed Eurosport Germany’s Das Gelbe vom Ball podcast.
“Earlier than, there was all the time speak about Nadal, Federer and Djokovic — now the massive titles have been the Olympics, U.S. Open, Turin (ATP Finals) and Wimbledon, they usually have been all received by Medvedev, Djokovic and me. I do not anticipate it to be any totally different subsequent yr.”
Zverev ended the yr ranked three and believes the primary spot is a viable goal.
“I do know I am not far-off from it, however for that I additionally need to win tournaments and Grand Slams,” he stated.
Theoretically, the 24-year-old Zverev might turn out to be primary if he wins the Australian Open and Djokovic misses the event due to its COVID-19 vaccine stance.
“The state of affairs with Novak and Australia remains to be a giant query mark,” he stated. “In fact, I hope that he might be allowed to play, that is very clear.
“There are literally thousands of mathematical calculations, if he would not play Australia and I win the Australian Open, then I am primary on the planet and so forth and so forth.
“On the finish of the day, now is just not the time to consider (being primary), not is the time to arrange as greatest as you may so that you’re bodily in a position to play for it.”
Zverev’s failure to seize a Grand Slam has stunned some, however he’s now a constant menace on the greatest occasions after initially struggling to indicate his greatest at them.
“I’ve turn out to be a lot calmer. I am additionally getting older. I am not 18 or 19 anymore. I perceive perhaps a bit extra issues about life and perceive that you simply simply need to hold calm in necessary conditions,” he stated. “That has had its impact on me this yr.”
Germany’s Zverev beat Djokovic en path to gold on the Tokyo Olympics after which ended the yr by successful the ATP Finals title for the second time.
Djokovic received three of the yr’s Grand Slam titles however his outdated rivals Rafa Nadal and Roger Federer failed so as to add to their collections with the trio tied on 20 majors every.
World quantity two Medvedev beat Djokovic within the U.S. Open ultimate whereas Zverev additionally reached two Grand Slam semis this yr.
Heading into the brand new season Federer, 40, remains to be recovering from knee surgical procedure whereas Nadal, 35, is within the early levels of his comeback from a foot damage.
“I believe subsequent yr might be similar to the final six months from this yr,” Zverev, named German Sportsman of the 12 months this week, instructed Eurosport Germany’s Das Gelbe vom Ball podcast.
“Earlier than, there was all the time speak about Nadal, Federer and Djokovic — now the massive titles have been the Olympics, U.S. Open, Turin (ATP Finals) and Wimbledon, they usually have been all received by Medvedev, Djokovic and me. I do not anticipate it to be any totally different subsequent yr.”
Zverev ended the yr ranked three and believes the primary spot is a viable goal.
“I do know I am not far-off from it, however for that I additionally need to win tournaments and Grand Slams,” he stated.
Theoretically, the 24-year-old Zverev might turn out to be primary if he wins the Australian Open and Djokovic misses the event due to its COVID-19 vaccine stance.
“The state of affairs with Novak and Australia remains to be a giant query mark,” he stated. “In fact, I hope that he might be allowed to play, that is very clear.
“There are literally thousands of mathematical calculations, if he would not play Australia and I win the Australian Open, then I am primary on the planet and so forth and so forth.
“On the finish of the day, now is just not the time to consider (being primary), not is the time to arrange as greatest as you may so that you’re bodily in a position to play for it.”
Zverev’s failure to seize a Grand Slam has stunned some, however he’s now a constant menace on the greatest occasions after initially struggling to indicate his greatest at them.
“I’ve turn out to be a lot calmer. I am additionally getting older. I am not 18 or 19 anymore. I perceive perhaps a bit extra issues about life and perceive that you simply simply need to hold calm in necessary conditions,” he stated. “That has had its impact on me this yr.”