Next-gen star Alexander Zverev believes that rival Nick Kyrgios is not a contender to win a Grand Slam title as he says there are “a lot” of players better than him. Ironically, Zverev, who himself has not clinched a major title, feels that the Australian is too inconsistent to beat the veterans in a five-setter. Is Zverev carrying forward his feud with Kyrgios after the pair cross swords at last week’s ATP Cup?
The two players came to blows during the ATP Cup 2020 when the hosts Australia were drawn with Germany. The hot-headed Kyrgios taunted the 22-year-old by doing push-ups after each of the 14 double faults hit by him during his loss to Alex de Minaur.
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“This is not a three-set match”: Alexander Zverev
Zverev took a cheeky dig at Kyrgios by suggesting that the Australian cannot be at his best for a longer period of time. He also claimed that the Australian is not ready for Grand Slam success.
“There’s a lot of young guys that are right now, no offence, just better than him,” Zverev said when asked about Kyrgios on Friday.
He further added: “This is not a three-set match where you can win in an hour-and-20 minute and get off the court. To beat the best, you have to play at your best for a longer period of time.”
“De Minaur is more consistent”: Zverev
There should have been more attention around Kyrgios’ compatriot Alex de Minaur, according to the German before he pulled out of the Australian Open 2020 due to injury.
“Alex De Minaur is just simply more consistent right now as well,” Zverev added. He was also unsure of why not a lot of people talk about him. He’s been playing unbelievable at the ATP Cup, explained Zverev.
“He beat me for the first time in his life. He beat [Denis] Shapovalov, he had a great match with Rafa [Nadal],” the 22-year-old concluded.
