Alexander Zverev: “I want to become a Grand Slam champion because I’m the best.”

Zverev's interview with Tages Anzeiger is much more nuanced. The German world number 6 is not only talking about himself, but about the whole new generation that's currently facing 'the Big Three'. Novak Djokovic, Rafael Nadal and Roger Federer have won 51 out of the last 59 grand slams, and are the only three since the 2016 US Open.

“I’ve always said that if we want to win big titles for younger players, we also have to compete against these players. They have dominated tennis for the past 15 years. If one of us gets a Grand Slam title, that should not be because the three are gone, but because someone was better.” Zverev elaborates, “I do not want them to stop. I want to become a Grand Slam champion because I’m the best.”

Reflecting on why he himself hasn't progressed further in Grand Slams, he said: “If you win a tournament, it means you have to win a Grand Slam title. I have heard this sentence 500 times in the last three years.”

“But in the end, the others are even better than me at the Grand Slam tournaments. And I have to ask myself: How do I improve my game so that I can win those too? That’s what it’s all about for me.” Clear is that Alexander Zverev realizes that he might not be the best option to beat them in one of the Grand Slams. He recently played [and lost] to Daniil Medvedev in the Shanghai Masters final.

“His achievements show the other boys what is possible.” Zverev said of his rival. “Many are a little too impressed by the legends. There are legends, too. I also have the utmost respect for people like Roger, Rafa and Novak myself. These are the best players we have ever seen.’

Nevertheless, when you go to the court, you have to show your game to have a chance. I think I’ve done it to others over the past two years, and more are knocking on the door now.” he said after Swiss Indoors on Tuesday to Taylor Fritz. The German now faces a huge task, defending 1,700 ranking points in the ATP Finals he won last year.

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