“I’m Not That Young Anymore”: Alexander Zverev

World No.7 Alexander Zverev does not see himself as a young man and feels that he needs to start improving. The German insisted that he should no longer be tagged as part of tennis’ ‘next generation’ and believes that the best of him is already kind of the current generation.

Zverev has been on the professional tour since he was 16-years-old in 2013. He has technically been on the circuit for years but people forget that the Hamburg native is just 22-years-old.

“I need to start improving”: Alexander Zverev

Alexander Zverev believes that he needs to raise his level as he does not treat himself as a budding player anymore. He wants to step up and be better than the ‘Big Three’.

“Other people my age would be finishing college and trying to find a job. In my mind, I’m not that young anymore, and I need to start improving,” Zverev said in an interview with The Guardian.

The German thinks it is his responsibility to play at his full potential as he’s back to something close to his best after a substandard 2019 season. “The other guys (Roger Federer, Rafael Nadal, Novak Djokovic) have been there for 20 years. They know how to get it done,” added Federer.

Also Read: “I Can’t Hit a Proper Serve. F*ck Me!”- Alexander Zverev Bursts Out During Loss To Stefanos Tsitsipas

“I want to be No.1 because I’m better than everybody”: Zverev

Zverev further suggested that the ‘Big Three’ know what it takes to win. “Are we going to take over at some point? Yes! We have to! They’re not going to be there forever. And anyway, I actually don’t want those guys to retire. I just want to be better than them. I’m not sitting at home and thinking, ‘OK, I still have, what, two, three years until they retire, and then I’m going to take over tennis.’ No, that’s not how it is.”

He continued to explain that if they just wait for them to retire, all they are going to hear for the rest of their career is, ‘Yeah, but those guys were better than you.’

“I don’t want to be the No.1 in the world because other people aren’t playing. I want to be No.1 because I’m better than everybody else,” he concluded.

Also Read: “Grigor Dimitrov Almost Had a Fight With Nick Kyrgios” – Alexander Zverev

Alexander Zverev started the last season ranked No. 4 in the ATP rankings but dropped to No.7 during a tough year that saw him struggle both on and off the court. In particular, his service started to fail him with an increasing number of double faults.

He is currently participating at the inaugural ATP Cup 2020, leading Greece in the 24-team event.