Zverev reveals history behind friendship with Melo: "Everybody kept warning me about him"

The World No.7 took to Instagram Live to reveal that he is actually spending time with Brazilian doubles specialist Marcelo Melo.

It may seem like the 36-year old Melo may not have much in common with the 22-year old German. However, the two are often inseparable anytime they're both competing at the same event. It only makes sense that both would be quarantining together in Florida due to coronavirus concerns.

In their much-touted Instagram Live stream, Zverev gave a cheeky account of how he befriended the Acapulco doubles champion.

“It was 2015 Rotterdam. He was in the locker room by himself. He’s always in the locker room by himself. He never had that many friends. I was this new guy, I was 18. Everybody kept warning me about him. I was like, ‘Nah, he looks like he’s okay,’” Zverev recalled. “I was like, ‘Hey buddy, you want to have lunch?’ He was so happy, because finally somebody wanted to become friends with him, and I took him on. Every stranded puppy needs a home, so I take care of him.”

The pair took some questions from fans, including one asking whether Zverev or Melo’s doubles partner, Lukasz Kubot, hits more double faults.

“Oof, this is a very difficult question,” Zverev said. “Lately me, nobody makes more than me.”

“Don’t say that, you’re not that bad,” Melo said as they both cracked a laugh.

Zverev also gave his thoughts regarding the current global pandemic.

It’s a very weird and difficult situation but I hope everybody is staying safe, I hope everybody is enjoying themselves at home,” Zverev said. “The more we follow rules now, the quicker we can go back to doing the things we love doing: watching live sports, doing fun activities and stuff like that. The more we follow the rules, the quicker the whole situation will solve itself and that’s why we don’t do anything, we don’t go out, we do nothing. We basically work out and stay at home and that’s it.”

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