Zverev should be the bigger story, not Kyrgios.

[Deleted member 766172]

I am a Kyrgios fan, but the guy just cannot get it together. His attention seeking behavior is ridiculous, and he believes we are using confirmation bias to nitpick at him. Somewhat true, but last night showed he has taken this too far. Most of what he did, I wouldn't have necessarily been surprised by, but spitting at the umpire is something I did not expect from him. He needs to apologize.

However, we need to stop giving him so much attention and just let him wander along with his antics. The only thing from last night that deserves attention is that he cursed then spit at an umpire. Very uncool and a total lack of respect, and I believe he will get it right and not do anything to that level again after getting chastised for it. I don't know if he will apologize for it. Hopefully he does. Giving him attention for anything else may just add more fuel to the fire as he idealizes the glamour brought on by his "me against the world" persona. Imo we should overlook his exciting tennis if he continues with this kind of behavior (spitting behavior). Let him get his act together before putting him back in the spotlight.

The other, imo more concerning story is...we are watching Zverev fall apart. Something is wrong with his confidence, and this is someone who likely cares deeply about the sport and creating a positive image for his legacy, someone who has been claimed by Federer as having the stuff to win a major, someone who repeatedly gets bashed on this board just for not being as good as we'd expect him to be. He may not be as talented or as exciting to watch as Kyrgios, but look at how much more he has been able to accomplish.

I'm starting to see that it is sad that I've always rooted for Kyrgios over Zverev. I will still be rooting for Kyrgios, but not at the expense of forgetting to get behind a player who is letting it all slip through his fingers while giving an earnest effort.

 

[Epicular]

It seemed like Kyrgios had finally begun to get his act together the last couple weeks, and then he goes off and does this. I guess I can't really say I'm surprised, just disappointed.

Of course, it would be best for everyone if people simply stopped paying attention to Kyrgios's antics, but that's not how this works. Kyrgios has an outburst, the media picks up on it because it's sensational, casual fans pick up on it for the same reason, Kyrgios gets the attention he wants which, to him, validates his behavior. Rinse and repeat.

What Kyrgios needs is serious help. I don't know what that looks like, but he clearly has issues that will stop him from getting any further than the third round of any masters/slam. He seems content with that position anyways, so whatever.

I'd root for Zverev over him any day of the week. Zverev's issues appear to be serviceable, and he seems far more willing to put in the work to get to the top of the tennis world. That being said, his mental problems have been so severe that I really struggle to envision him as a future all-time great. He's still young though, so I guess anything is possible.

 

[ChrisRF]

In the rare moments when he does something spectacular himself, Zverev is exactly the same selfish attention-seeker as Kyrgios, if not worse.

But moments like yesterday, if they happen even more often, could stop his arrogance for a while.

To Federer: I really don’t know where he saw this potential. Apart from the backhand and sometimes the first serve there is nothing in his game which is even close to Slam winning potential. And it was also always visible that Zverev isn’t the guy who could drastically improve or totally change some aspects.

Maybe Federer misinterpreted the circumstances of Zverev’s bigger wins (which were mostly fluke wins against weak draws or injured/unmotivated Big 3 players).

Zverev can never dictate a match and win it easily. That’s his problem, and literally against any ATP main draw player.

 

[Red Rick]

In the rare moments when he does something spectacular himself, Zverev is exactly the same selfish attention-seeker as Kyrgios, if not worse.

But moments like yesterday, if they happen even more often, could stop his arrogance for a while.

To Federer: I really don’t know where he saw this potential. Apart from the backhand and sometimes the first serve there is nothing in his game which is even close to Slam winning potential. And it was also always visible that Zverev isn’t the guy who could drastically improve or totally change some aspects.

Maybe Federer misinterpreted the circumstances of Zverev’s bigger wins (which were mostly fluke wins against weak draws or injured/unmotivated Big 3 players).

Zverev can never dictate a match and win it easily. That’s his problem, and literally against any ATP main draw player.

What's the context of Fed's quote?

I think we all need to realise that the Big 3 are not reliable narrators when assessing the talent of young players, cause it's terrible PR to **** on them.

 

[ChrisRF]

What's the context of Fed's quote?

I think we all need to realise that the Big 3 are not reliable narrators when assessing the talent of young players, cause it's terrible PR to **** on them.

I don’t know exactly what the OP meant, it was only a reaction to what he claimed that Federer said it (Slam winning potential etc.).

I only remember that once Federer praised Zverev’s backhand as one of the best in the world (if not the outright best) when Zverev has a good day.

Of course you are right about the PR thing. It’s always important what the question was. If some journalist asks which player will be the next big thing, then MAYBE we will get an honest answer. If he just asked: "What do you have to say about Zverev?", then of course Federer won’t say: "He’ll never achieve anything again..."

 

[Deleted member 766172]

If some journalist asks which player will be the next big thing, then MAYBE we will get an honest answer.

I could have sworn this was how the question was set up, but I can't seem to find it anywhere. Not sure if it was video or written either which makes it doubly difficult to find.