"We’re like two little kids" - Alexander Zverev and Marcelo Melo open up about their relationship away from the court

Close friends Alexander Zverev and Mercelo Melo sat down together to chat about their close relationship, with the pair disclosing how they met, their funniest moment together, and their biggest wishes for each other.

The pair have been great friends for a while, even taking to the court together as doubles partners. Both former number ones in the world in singles and doubles, respectively, they made a final together in a Masters 1000 event, losing out in the final at Monte Carlo. They sat down for an interview with the ATP Tour YouTube channel to divulge their fondness.

When asked about how they first met, the German revealed that the pair of them were 'bored', so they started playing FIFA in a hotel in Stockholm. "My theory is that we became friends in Beijing in 2015," Zverev said. "The first time we talked was in the locker room. Then we both came to Stockholm early, had nothing to do, so we went to a sushi place together and bought a PlayStation 4. We started playing FIFA – that was the beginning of our friendship. The friendship started because we were so bored and just started playing FIFA in Stockholm."

There is a large age gap between the pair, with Melo 13 years older than his counterpart. When asked what they would be doing in 10 years, Zverev jokingly answered for Melo: "You would be a full-time coach travelling 53 weeks a year." When the producer asked whether the Brazilian would coach Zverev, he quickly replied: "No, no, no. We have disagreements. He can’t understand my knowledge. He’d be begging me to live in Monte Carlo, play golf, etc, but Belo is much better. Maybe even move to Belo Horizonte." Zverev swiftly turned this offer down.

The pair revealed that they would go on holiday together, and were left a little dazed when trying to remember some moments of them, which they classified under their funniest moments together. When asked, Zverev said: "We’ve had a few. We do everything together anyway. We had a couple during holidays. We don’t even remember a few days of them, straight. Most of them were in Dubai."

The three-time Grand Slam finalist stated that they were like 'little kids' when hanging out together as they would just play games. "We play games. We’re like two little kids basically. Play golf, go karting, laser tag, Mario Kart." Melo gave some insight on why they do these activities: "As we are on tour doing it all year, a lot of stress playing tennis, especially for him playing singles and doubles –we've got to find some time to have fun as friends. We go out, sometimes play bowling. Once in Tokyo, we played every day." Zverev said: "My arm was so sore I couldn’t practice for a few days. We played every single day for an hour and a half."

In a wholesome moment, the pair told each other their biggest wishes for each other. Zverev kicked it off by wishing 'happiness' for his mate after he retires from tennis. "I think he’s achieved everything he wanted on the tennis court. I think he's enjoying his time on the tennis court. Eventually, it will come to an end. I wish he finds happiness outside of tennis. That’s very important." Melo gave Zverev a chance to reveal what his wish would be, as he said: "Well a Grand Slam isn't it? Yeah of course," before laughing. Melo continued: "No but seriously, he knows how much I want to see him win a Grand Slam. I think he deserves it. He practices the most – during tournaments, off tournaments, on tournaments, looking forward to win. I think him and his family deserve a lot. I guarantee he’s going to achieve it, sooner or later. Doesn’t matter which one – he’s going to make it. I wish it with all my power."

The number three in the world will have a chance to win his first Grand Slam at the upcoming US Open, beginning on the 24th August, with the men's doubles commencing from the 29th August.