Zverev's year

[nolefam_2024]

This could have been Alexander Zverev's year but in the end it became a mixed bag.

He has most titles on ATP tour. 2 masters, 1 OG. He will most likely return to world no. 3 tomorrow from 7 last year. But even after doing so much he did so little.

0 grand slams
0 grand slam finals

With Djokovic becoming 1 year older, can he finally win the big one? People make fun of Zverev's top 10 losing streak which is justified but he may shock us becoming world no. 1 next year and winning 2 slams. He is easily capable of this. Crazy.

 

[Bender]

This could have been Alexander Zverev's year but in the end it became a mixed bag.

He has most titles on ATP tour. 2 masters, 1 OG. He will most likely return to world no. 3 tomorrow from 7 last year. But even after doing so much he did so little.

0 grand slams
0 grand slam finals

With Djokovic becoming 1 year older, can he finally win the big one? People make fun of Zverev's top 10 losing streak which is justified but he may shock us becoming world no. 1 next year and winning 2 slams. He is easily capable of this. Crazy.

What's this based on?

 

[nolefam_2024]

What's this based on?

His slam results this year have been really consistent. On atp tour he has done well to reach world no. 3 soon without winning a slam semis.

 

[Jonesy]

His record against top 10 in slams might be the result of a mental block. We know he is making a DF when serving under pressure.

 

[Kralingen]

The Good:

Slam results: QF, SF, 4R, SF. he was right there with Tsitsipas even coming down from 2-0 at the french open. So 3 very close losses to the eventual champion/finalist. And of course he did look imperious in Madrid, taking down Nadal in two convincing sets and Cincy/Olympics with two more big titles. Vienna was a great win for him last week as well.

I’ll give him this: he showed me something new vs. Djokovic at the AO/USO (going up a break in all 4 sets, having a chance to make it 2-1 at the AO, simply outplaying Djokovic from the baseline for stretches in both the USO/AO). his level was right there with a (not at his best but still decently well playing) Djo which I genuinely don’t think anyone but Medvedev is capable of in Bo5. Good aggression and genuinely strong baselining to outplay Novak which is quite an achievement to do.

The Bad:
of course his undoing in those HC Slam matches was actually not his opponent GOATing, it was his DFs (2nd set final game at USO, 3rd&4th set crucial DFs at the AO) and choked shots (OH on BP at USO, crap FH on multiple big points at AO) more than anything.

He fell apart mentally in every big Slam match and the DFs (20, yes 20 in the FAA loss at Wimby) seem to be an unresolvable bugaboo. Even at the USO his go to 2nd serve plan was just the Goran-esque slamming in 130mph 2nd serves, which is a decent strategy until you realize he doesn’t have the confidence to do it in big moments, making this Pete rendition basically a band-aid over an obvious gaping hole in his game. I also think he has a tendency to lose confidence in his FH for stretches of matches which is simply unacceptable for a baseliner of his caliber. You can’t spray free errors like that and expect to win against the top players.

The Verdict:

I think it’s clear he has slam winning talent and groundstrokes. His ceiling is still the highest of any young guy for me. At this point the masters hardly register on our radar, because he’s 24. All those smaller victories show is that he has to focus on to translating his form into Slams and that simply still has not happened.

 

[nolefam_2024]

The Good:

Slam results: QF, SF, 4R, SF. he was right there with Tsitsipas even coming down from 2-0 at the french open. So 3 very close losses to the eventual champion/finalist. And of course he did look imperious in Madrid, taking down Nadal in two convincing sets and Cincy/Olympics with two more big titles. Vienna was a great win for him last week as well.

I’ll give him this: he showed me something new vs. Djokovic at the AO/USO (going up a break in all 4 sets, having a chance to make it 2-1 at the AO, simply outplaying Djokovic from the baseline for stretches in both the USO/AO). his level was right there with a (not at his best but still decently well playing) Djo which I genuinely don’t think anyone but Medvedev is capable of in Bo5. Good aggression and genuinely strong baselining to outplay Novak which is quite an achievement to do.

The Bad:
of course his undoing in those HC Slam matches was actually not his opponent GOATing, it was his DFs (2nd set final game at USO, 3rd&4th set crucial DFs at the AO) and choked shots (OH on BP at USO, crap FH on multiple big points at AO) more than anything.

He fell apart mentally in every big Slam match and the DFs (20, yes 20 in the FAA loss at Wimby) seem to be an unresolvable bugaboo. Even at the USO his go to 2nd serve plan was just the Goran-esque slamming in 130mph 2nd serves, which is a decent strategy until you realize he doesn’t have the confidence to do it in big moments, making this Pete rendition basically a band-aid over an obvious gaping hole in his game. I also think he has a tendency to lose confidence in his FH for stretches of matches which is simply unacceptable for a baseliner of his caliber. You can’t spray free errors like that and expect to win against the top players.

The Verdict:

I think it’s clear he has slam winning talent and groundstrokes. His ceiling is still the highest of any young guy for me. At this point the masters hardly register on our radar, because he’s 24. All those smaller victories show is that he has to focus on to translating his form into Slams and that simply still has not happened.

Between Olympics and USO he did less than 20 df or something alike. I even counted that during uso time. But his second serve has no confidence. Today he hit 104 kph second serve. Luckily he was able to win that point and the match.

 

[Tennisfan339]

He won the Olympics Games. I have mixed feelings rearding this competition (still think WTF are ranked higher) but to him, this medal had the taste of a slam. The way he cried and wore that medal was moving. And he did so after beating the world number #1 unbeaten in slams this year, in an incredible match full of twists. I can't speak for him but I think 2021 was a success after this. I don't think he'd exchange his medal against a slam.

The slams will wait. Normally, Zverev and Medvedev will win most of them in the coming year. Unless someone like Sinner/Alcaraz (or someone we don't know yet) suddenly outshines them but that's unlikely at the moment. There is no way he won't win at least 1. He is multi surface, unlike most other "next gen". He already has 3 clay Masters and I'm sure his grass game will improve. I really think he could win all 4 slams once, at some point.

 

[lrdrdy]

His issues remain the same, he’s lost his last 3 slams in 5 set matches when finally faced with a good opponent, and the 5th sets were not that close anyway. His serving woes have improved a little bit, but hes still inconsistent. He might DF or he might hit a second serve ace, thats how it felt at times during Taylor Fritz in Indian Wells. Until he actually does it, I dont think he’ll beat the top 3 in slams, and he has to prove he can beat the Rublevs and Ruuds there first..

 

[Bender]

His record against top 10 in slams might be the result of a mental block. We know he is making a DF when serving under pressure.

Whatever it is, I hope it continues

#ABZ

 

[mike danny]

The Good:

Slam results: QF, SF, 4R, SF. he was right there with Tsitsipas even coming down from 2-0 at the french open. So 3 very close losses to the eventual champion/finalist. And of course he did look imperious in Madrid, taking down Nadal in two convincing sets and Cincy/Olympics with two more big titles. Vienna was a great win for him last week as well.

I’ll give him this: he showed me something new vs. Djokovic at the AO/USO (going up a break in all 4 sets, having a chance to make it 2-1 at the AO, simply outplaying Djokovic from the baseline for stretches in both the USO/AO). his level was right there with a (not at his best but still decently well playing) Djo which I genuinely don’t think anyone but Medvedev is capable of in Bo5. Good aggression and genuinely strong baselining to outplay Novak which is quite an achievement to do.

The Bad:
of course his undoing in those HC Slam matches was actually not his opponent GOATing, it was his DFs (2nd set final game at USO, 3rd&4th set crucial DFs at the AO) and choked shots (OH on BP at USO, crap FH on multiple big points at AO) more than anything.

He fell apart mentally in every big Slam match and the DFs (20, yes 20 in the FAA loss at Wimby) seem to be an unresolvable bugaboo. Even at the USO his go to 2nd serve plan was just the Goran-esque slamming in 130mph 2nd serves, which is a decent strategy until you realize he doesn’t have the confidence to do it in big moments, making this Pete rendition basically a band-aid over an obvious gaping hole in his game. I also think he has a tendency to lose confidence in his FH for stretches of matches which is simply unacceptable for a baseliner of his caliber. You can’t spray free errors like that and expect to win against the top players.

The Verdict:

I think it’s clear he has slam winning talent and groundstrokes. His ceiling is still the highest of any young guy for me. At this point the masters hardly register on our radar, because he’s 24. All those smaller victories show is that he has to focus on to translating his form into Slams and that simply still has not happened.

He reverted back to his shell in the USO semis and Djokovic wasn't even that good.

 

[Red Rick]

His slam results this year have been really consistent. On atp tour he has done well to reach world no. 3 soon without winning a slam semis.

Extremely consistently losing to top 10 players at Slams.

 

[junior74]

Can't step up and beat Novak on HC, unlike Fatrinka

Stan is missed, every pound of him!

Zverev has performed above expectations IMO.

 

[Arak]

all those accuses were last year though

Aussie has an almost Pavlovian reaction every time you say the word Zverev. I think he can’t control it.

 

[Red Rick]

He reverted back to his shell in the USO semis and Djokovic wasn't even that good.

Zverevs problem is that he plays his best tennis when easily swatting a #25 player that shouldn't beat him anyway.

Zverevs entire game falls apart the moment he's actually outclassed in the rallies and his serve becomes the weapon that should equalize the match instead of what easily wins him the match.

 

[Searchlight]

He knows how to beat people. That pretty much sums up his year . . .

 

[AnOctorokForDinner]

A potent talent wasted on a mental mug. Sad to see. Zverev is a traitor to his own abilities.

 

[Wesling]

he will mow down ruud today. top 10 lol

 

[itrium84]

This could have been Alexander Zverev's year but in the end it became a mixed bag.

He has most titles on ATP tour. 2 masters, 1 OG. He will most likely return to world no. 3 tomorrow from 7 last year. But even after doing so much he did so little.

0 grand slams
0 grand slam finals

With Djokovic becoming 1 year older, can he finally win the big one? People make fun of Zverev's top 10 losing streak which is justified but he may shock us becoming world no. 1 next year and winning 2 slams. He is easily capable of this. Crazy.

OG are not a part of ATP tour.
I agree with you about Zed's chances next year.

 

[SteffiGoat]

Even without a GS final this year, It has been a relatively successful year for Zverev. He still has an outside chance of finishing the year ranked second if he can sneak another Masters here in Bercy and another successful campaign at the WTF where Medvedev is the defending champ.

I fully expect Zverev to be the next number 1 by USO next year. Don't think Novak will be playing a lot of tournaments outside the mandatory ones and he has a lot of points to defend as well.

I'm prepared to be disappointed though...

 

[Aabye5]

He went from not beating any top 10 players at a Slam to taking the world no. 1 to five sets. Does anyone think that if he had played Berrettini or Tsitsipas in that USO semi, Zed wouldn't have won?

 

[nolefam_2024]

He went from not beating any top 10 players at a Slam to taking the world no. 1 to five sets. Does anyone think that if he had played Berrettini or Tsitsipas in that USO semi, Zed wouldn't have won?

Even in that five set match Djokovic barely squeaked through set 3. He was a bit lucky. Still a loss is a loss.

 

[mike danny]

He went from not beating any top 10 players at a Slam to taking the world no. 1 to five sets. Does anyone think that if he had played Berrettini or Tsitsipas in that USO semi, Zed wouldn't have won?

Djokovic was there for the taking this USO. The worst he played in slams this year.

Zverev as usual reverted back to his shell the moment there was pressure.

 

[NAS]

He went from not beating any top 10 players at a Slam to taking the world no. 1 to five sets. Does anyone think that if he had played Berrettini or Tsitsipas in that USO semi, Zed wouldn't have won?

Out of last 7 match against top ten in slam 5 have been really competitive.
I think 2018 RG was done and dusted as he played three five set matches before that so he was not winning against Thiem in qf.
Next year in RG he served for set agonst Novak and choked .
2020 semi against Thiem was really good match, could have gone to anyone, he won first set, lost last two set in tiebrakes, he didn't give up easily, last two sets were each one hour long.
In uso final, the less I say is better, how badly he choked.
In AO 2021 qf again he choked big time against Novak
In RG 2021 semi match went to five set and Tsits took medical time out or toilet break just before breaking Zverev in fifth set
In us Open 2021 again match went to five set
He just need little bit luck and less choking
In last 5 matches he was really close

 

[Aabye5]

Djokovic was there for the taking this USO. The worst he played in slams this year.

Zverev as usual reverted back to his shell the moment there was pressure.

Many players do. He doesn't need to beat Djokovic to notch his first top 10 win though. Last time I checked, there are still 9 other players he can beat. MadLad might be a bridge too far, but they haven't played since the beginning of the year, so who knows.

 

[mike danny]

Many players do. I don't think he needs to beat Djokovic to notch his first top 10 win though. Last time I checked though, there are still 9 other players he can beat. MadLad might be a bridge too far, but they haven't played since the beginning of the year, so who knows.

I didn't say Djokovic has to be his first top 10 win. I was just saying how this Djokovic was beatable so just pushing him to 5 wasn't enough.

 

[NAS]

Many players do. He doesn't need to beat Djokovic to notch his first top 10 win though. Last time I checked, there are still 9 other players he can beat. MadLad might be a bridge too far, but they haven't played since the beginning of the year, so who knows.

Actually he has been little bit unlucky, three against Novak and three against Thiem and one against Tsits are his last 7 matches in slam
And apart from one match against Thiem and Novak he was close in all match.
Somehow he never got other eight players( apart from one time Tsits and that went to five straight away) in last three years

 

[yokied]

2021 is still a big improvement on the huge underachievements of 2019-20. That was when he really should've stamped his authority at some point. Those two years in the wilderness before his career even really took off sealed his fate. IMHO he'll vulture up to 5 majors but Zod-level global domination is out.

 

[NAS]

2021 is still a big improvement on the huge underachievements of 2019-20. That was when he really should've stamped his authority at some point. Those two years in the wilderness before his career even really took off sealed his fate. IMHO he'll vulture up to 5 majors but Zod-level global domination is out.

5 major is too much hype lol, he need to win atleast two to start five hype .
First he need to win one even to go for second

 

[nolefam_2024]

2021 is still a big improvement on the huge underachievements of 2019-20. That was when he really should've stamped his authority at some point. Those two years in the wilderness before his career even really took off sealed his fate. IMHO he'll vulture up to 5 majors but Zod-level global domination is out.

It was possible right? Or am I crazy? The guy has Isner like first serve, best backhand on the tour and even cleaned up his net game.

 

[BeatlesFan]

This could have been Alexander Zverev's year...

2017 could have been his year.
2018 could have been his year.
2019 could have been his year.
2020 could have been his year.

Heard all this before and just laughed as this assclown chokes every time in B05 situations when the pressure's on. He'll be 25 in April and the "highlight" of his slam career is choking like a baby when serving for the USO title against Domi. Get back to us when he actually stops peeing his pants and wins a slam.

 

[BeatlesFan]

@nachiket nolefam What is it about Zedrot's game or personality you like? Why do you think he will win many slams? Genuinely curious.

 

[nolefam_2024]

@nachiket nolefam What is it about Zedrot's game or personality you like? Why do you think he will win many slams? Genuinely curious.

Personality wise he is not badmouthing his opponents, generally respectful of opponents. I hate this attitude on pro tour that we can't be friends because we are competitors. Sascha and Meddy both don't follow that mould. Some guys are too serious like Coric for sure and Tsitsipas etc.
Gamewise I love his serve. The way he can easily servebot anyone on his best day, too powerful.
No idea about how many slams though he is naturally good on all surfaces.

 

[BeatlesFan]

Gamewise I love his serve. The way he can easily servebot anyone on his best day, too powerful.

Thanks for responding, interesting. I'll stand by the old adage, "a player is only as good as his second serve." And Zverev's well-documented problems with his second serve are beyond belief. On the other hand, Djokovic had terrible serving yips in 2009-2010 and look how he turned it around.

 

[NAS]

2017 could have been his year.
2018 could have been his year.
2019 could have been his year.
2020 could have been his year.

Heard all this before and just laughed as this assclown chokes every time in B05 situations when the pressure's on. He'll be 25 in April and the "highlight" of his slam career is choking like a baby when serving for the USO title against Domi. Get back to us when he actually stops peeing his pants and wins a slam.

2017 was his year, a twenty year old winning two masters was good year

 

[nolefam_2024]

Thanks for responding, interesting. I'll stand by the old adage, "a player is only as good as his second serve." And Zverev's well-documented problems with his second serve are beyond belief. On the other hand, Djokovic had terrible serving yips in 2009-2010 and look how he turned it around.

Its not even like he isn't working on it. He specifically said he took a lot of time to work on his second serve. Its still issue but is improving at least. Very slowly.

 

[Poisoned Slice]

Djokovic was there for the taking this USO. The worst he played in slams this year.

Zverev as usual reverted back to his shell the moment there was pressure.

I still remember back to the French Open semi. His third and fourth set performance some of the greatest of all time. You predicted it would happen. Then we get to five and suddenly there is something to lose again. And as usual. That is what he does.

 

[RelentlessAttack]

It was definitely a big improvement for him. More work to do though. His best chances are going to be to improve on natural surfaces though since I think he will have ongoing problems on HC with Med