Alexander Zverev having 'diabetes' challenge and not overcoming 'mental obstacle' behind lack of Grand Slams says Andrea Petkovic
ATPSunday, 25 February 2024 at 08:00
Former world
number nine Andrea Petkovic believes that Alexander Zverev needs to overcome a ‘mental
obstacle’ to win a Grand Slam.
The 26-year-old
was one of the star performers in the first Grand Slam of the year — the Australian
Open. However, his journey came to an end as he lost in the semifinal to the
current world number three Russia’s Daniil Medvedev with a score of 5-7, 3-6,
7-6, 7-6, 6-3.
That result would’ve
hurt Zverev, especially because at one stage he was leading two sets to love
and was just a couple of points away from securing a place in the final.
Petkovic was
recently quoted in a report where she stated that the current world number six
has to overcome the mental ‘obstacle’ to lift the title.
"First of
all, he has the diabetes, that's a challenge," she. "That's a
physical challenge for a man that has to play a best of five match. That's
definitely there. But, it's interesting cause I feel like to win a Grand Slam,
there is a little mental obstacle that you have to overcome. It feels once you
overcome that, you can win any Slam.
"After
that, you go to a Slam and you are like 'I can win this'. He hasn't overcome
that yet, and we saw that the two best matches where he was up 2-0, in the US
Open final and the semifinals at the Australian Open against Daniil Medvedev.
So, clearly, he hasn't quite overcome that mental obstacle yet.
"Until he
doesn't [overcome the little mental obstacle], he won't because the hardest
thing is to do something you have never done before. So, that will be an issue
for him going forward forever."
Zverev is now
set to take part in the upcoming Mexican Open where he will begin his journey
with the match against fellow German Daniel Altmaier on Tuesday.
Azeem Siddiqui is a seasoned sports journalist and data analyst with a strong background in both digital media and live sports production.
He began his journalism career working with partners of The New York Times and has since contributed to several leading international sports publications, including Fox Sports Asia, Calciomercato, and GiveMeSport. Since 2023, Azeem has been part of the TennisUpToDate team, where he has played a key role in sustaining the platform’s growth and ensuring tennis fans receive timely and reliable coverage of the sport’s biggest stories.
In addition to his editorial work, Azeem has extensive experience as a data analyst in live sports broadcasting—particularly in cricket—where he combines analytical precision with creative storytelling. He has collaborated with multiple production companies and cricket boards worldwide, delivering real-time insights and data-driven narratives during live match coverage.
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