Zverev Explains Why He Is Excited For Acapulco Return

No player finished the 2018 ATP Tour season on a higher note than Alexander Zverev. The 21-year-old became the youngest player to win the Nitto ATP Finals since Novak Djokovic in 2008. Zverev was also the first German to triumph at the season finale since Boris Becker in 1995.

But Zverev fell short of earning his best performance at a Grand Slam last month in Melbourne, losing to former World No. 3 Milos Raonic in straight sets in the fourth round of the Australian Open. In his first tournament since, the Abierto Mexicano Telcel presentado por HSBC, the second seed is eager to return to winning ways. Zverev is pursuing his 11th ATP Tour title.

“Every player has played more than me, basically. But I’m looking forward to it,” said Zverev, who faces qualifier Alexei Popyrin in the first round. “I’m looking forward to really getting going now because it’s a busy schedule with the Masters [1000] series coming up [in Indian Wells and Miami] and also on clay I have a very busy schedule,” Zverev said. “It’s very exciting.”

Two days before the Australian Open, Zverev turned his ankle during practice. While the World No. 3 says he has not fully recovered, and he still tapes the ankle, the German is happy that he gave it time to heal to allow himself the best chance to recover.

“I had to take Rotterdam off, unfortunately, and I was with a doctor that I’ve seen for a long time already,” Zverev said. “I hope it’s going to get better, and I hope I’ll be pain-free very shortly.”

It certainly doesn’t hurt that Zverev is returning to action in Acapulco, where he is staying in a house that is 20 metres from the beach. While Zverev is fully focused on the tennis, the setting is an added bonus.

“I go every morning to the beach. I enjoy the water a lot. I think this place is in a way a holiday,” Zverev said. “We do obviously practice a lot. I’ve been practising four hours a day. But in a way this is still holidays for us and we enjoy being here.”

Did You Know?
Zverev competed in Acapulco for the first time last season. The German lost to Juan Martin del Potro in the semi-finals.