'Alexander Zverev should follow Nadal and Williams sisters,' says Nicolas Kiefer

Alexander Zverev finished the previous season inside the top-7 for the fourth straight year after winning two ATP titles at home in Cologne in the season's closing stages.

In July, Alexander started working with David Ferrer and became a Major contender at the US Open, serving for the title versus Dominic Thiem but falling in the deciding set's tie break. After that, Alexander conquered two tournaments in Cologne and played in the Paris Masters final, losing to Daniil Medvedev. The German will kick off the new season without Ferrer in his box and without Roger Federer's Team8 behind him, turning to his family and starting a new chapter of his career.

Former German pro Nicolas Kiefer understands Zverev's move, saying he is a family man with strong links that have been following him since the first tennis steps. Kiefer mentioned Rafael Nadal and the Williams sisters' examples, suggesting that Alexander should follow the same path.

"Alexander has always been a family man. He relies on his family even more now, and that's absolutely understandable if we know him and his character; he is not making a mistake. Alexander is still so young and has already achieved so much.

There are plenty of other examples of how important the family is; Rafael Nadel with his uncle Toni or Serena and Venus Williams. Normally, there are ups and downs from time to time, but he should only go forward in the future," Nicolas Kiefer said.