Zverev reflects on season following loss to Djokovic

Alexander Zverev's season came to an end on Friday at the Nitto ATP Finals, as the 2018 champion fell to Novak Djokovic in a win-or-go-home encounter.

With both men needing a win to qualify to for the semifinals, it was Djokovic who emerged with the victory. Nonetheless, the World No.7 seemed upbeat about his performance this season as he recounted his achievements.

“It was a great year. Unfortunately I lost a lot of big matches,” Zverev said. “I lost [in the] semi-finals in Australia, which I could have won. Lost the final of the US Open which I should have won, kind of. Finals in Bercy. This match here. So a lot of tough matches, a lot of tough moments, but a good year for me. A lot to build on for next year.”  

After a horrid display at the ATP Cup, the German rediscovered his form to reach his first Grand Slam semifinal at the Australian Open. He surpassed this accolade by reaching his maiden Major final at the US Open, losing to Dominic Thiem in five sets.

"You want to put yourself in those positions every time. The US Open match obviously still hurts, but all the other ones, it's great that I'm playing at this level again,” Zverev said. “If it would be a normal [FedEx ATP] Ranking, a normal year, I think I would be much higher up the Rankings than I am now. Still, it was a good year and there is a lot to build on for next year.”  

In addition to winning his 12th and 13th career titles this year, Zverev finished the season with a 28-11 record and a fourth straight Top-10 year-end ATP ranking.

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