Over the years covering pro tennis I’ve had numerous close encounters and memories with Alexander Zverev and all of them were positive and memorable.
The first was at the Elizabeth Moore Sarasota Open seeing him compete as a 15 year old wildcard ito qualies. He was ranked 827 and becoming known as a top junior and Australian Open boys champion. In Sarasota he beat Jason Kubler in qualies 64 in the third set with his brother Mischa watching and coaching. The takeaway observation was how cool Mischa was during the tight closing moments – Alexander had two double faults in the final game but still held on for the win. After the match Zverev was asked for an autograph from a tennis fan in his 70s who simply said, “I would like your autograph.”
Zverev played Sarasota Open twice as a teen but never won a main draw match. In 2014 he won three quali rounds vs. Fratangelo, Kubler, Altamirano but lost in main draw first round to Donald Young 46 57.
Next encounter was at Citi Open 2015 in Washington DC. Zverev was still really young but rising up the ranks at world no. 96. He was playing in the afternoon on an outer court, the smallest court at the venue, second round vs Kevin Anderson, then ranked 14. Though he was really young, he did attract some famous figures to see him play. Belinda Bencic and Kiki Mladenovic were interested onlookers and obvious fans of the young golden boy who beat Anderson 64 in the third set. Zverev reached the QF that year, falling to Marin Cilic.
It may have been that same year I was in Washington’s Chinatown and saw the whole Zverev clan, parents, Alexander and Mischa walking around one late afternoon.
I don’t remember the exact year but I did get a chance to do a Biofile with Zverev at Citi Open. He was top 10 and waiting outside the media tent awaiting his press conference after a match win, while another player was doing their press conference. While most of the media was in the tent with the other player, Zverev sat on a stool outside the tent with just a PR woman – in other words a perfect opportunity to do a spontaneous Biofile interview. And it came out excellent. He was a perfect gentleman, friendly, smiling, engaging and even seemed to enjoy doing the interview. There was not even a faint hint of any arrogance, cockiness, irritation. Just a basic, regular, down to earth, likable young man… and future Grand Slam and Olympic gold medal champion.
US Open he was an established pro in the top 30. I was doing a Biofile with Tommy Paul who had just won a qualis match. We were in the Ashe Stadium player lounge area and Paul gave a fist bump during our interview to a player who walked by behind me. Paul smiled at the acknowledgement from whoever it was so I was curious who it was and glanced to notice it was that unmistakable slow walk of Zverev. I did not know they were buddies. It showed Zverev is a cool guy, even with rivals from his junior days.
adidas · Alexander Zverev · ATP · Head