LONDON — Alexander Zverev’s form in London has a simple explanation: Paris. So believes his compatriot Andrea Petkovic.
“After Paris, I felt his career could go in either of two directions. He could put even more pressure on himself because he wants to prove that this Grand Slam title wasn’t a one-off… or what we’re seeing in London, which is the complete opposite: he plays much more aggressively, especially in important moments,” the former German player told CLAY.
The world number three is in his first Wimbledon final, a tournament in which he extended his consecutive Grand Slam winning streak to 13 after claiming the first major title of his career at Roland Garros.
Petkovic compared Zverev’s current form to what happened with former world number one Angelique Kerber: “I remember what happened to Angelique after she won her first major. Suddenly a weight falls off your shoulders. You realize: I truly belong here.”
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In 2016, at 28, Kerber won her first Grand Slam in Melbourne. That season she would reach the Wimbledon final and weeks later claim the US Open. In 2018 she was champion at the All England Club.
“I have the impression that this is exactly what happened with Sascha,” Petkovic added.
“In the past, his instinct was often to pull back a bit. Today he looks for the way forward. That’s the biggest change for me. With his confidence and his new freedom, Alexander Zverev has a real chance to win this Wimbledon tournament,” predicted the former world number nine.
“I hope I can play a junior on Sunday. It’s the defending champion or someone who has won Wimbledon 48 times,” Zverev joked after comfortably beating the tournament’s surprise package, British player Arthur Fery, 7-6 (7-0), 6-2 and 6-4. The German will contest the title against Jannik Sinner or Novak Djokovic.
Petkovic also analysed Sinner’s current form, as last year’s Centre Court champion: “Sinner has improved from match to match, but for me he’s not yet the Sinner who dominated practically everything for months. He seems more vulnerable at the moment than some time ago when he won what felt like 30 Masters matches in a row.”
Besides the Italian and the Serbian, only six players in total have lifted the trophy at the All England Club since 2023. The list is completed by Roger Federer, Rafael Nadal, Andy Murray and Carlos Alcaraz.
“I have to believe in myself, I have to believe that I can win it,” said the Olympic champion in Tokyo 2021.
