It is not his name that comes up most often in the mouths of supporters. However, Alexander Zverev is present in the last four of Roland-Garros, for the second year in a row. By unleashing less passion than his opponents in the Top 6. Opposed to Rafael Nadal, Friday June 3, he will not be favored by the public this time either.
Between the legends Djokovic and Nadal, Medvedev, the first of the “next-gen” to win a Grand Slam, the charm of Tsitsipas or the attractiveness of the young phenomenon Alcaraz, the world number 3 clashes. The fault is not always exemplary behavior on the courts, and the extra-sporting affairs that pursue him.
Even in his homeland, the native of Hamburg is not “not much appreciated”emphasizes Klaus Bellstedt, German journalist at Roland for Der Spiegel. “Let’s just say there is no emotional connection between him and the fans. Zverev has certainly gained a bit of popularity with the gold medal at the Tokyo Olympics, but he remains unloved.” According to him, several reasons explain this low awareness: “Already, because he no longer lives in Germany. He trains in Monte-Carlo, so the public identifies with him less. But also because he has this cold, arrogant and proud side.”
Although tennis is not a sport as practiced and widespread as elsewhere in Europe, “as Italy can be totally behind Berrettini or Sinner”points out Klaux Bellstedt, the country has had its share of stars in the past – starting with Steffi Graf and Boris Becker. “We absolutely cannot compare Zverev’s aura to that of Becker. There is necessarily a part of personality, because Becker was much more accessible and sympathetic”, explains Klaus Bellstedt who sees only one solution for “Sascha” to gain popularity: “Winning a first Grand Slam. Even though he won Masters 1000 and has been among the best for a few years now. Winning a Grand Slam could be a game-changer. Just like Becker, who won hearts in the wake of his title, in 1985 at Wimbledon”, concludes the sports journalist.
On the courts, Alexander Zverev does not always shine with his attitude. Often agitated, ready to let his nervousness or frustration overflow, the German has built, since his professional debut in 2014, a reputation for being nervous and angry. He has already drawn the wrath of the circuit for his bloodshed.
His last escapade, one of the most serious, dates from the Acapulco tournament, at the end of February 2022. After a defeat in doubles, he violently hit the referee’s chair with his racket, before insulting him and deliver a final blow. He had been expelled from the tournament the next day, while he was still in contention in singles, before the ATP sanctioned him with a two-month suspended suspension (and a €25,000 fine). “He shot himself in the foot with his lead freaks”summarizes Klaus Bellstedt.
The German spoke quickly, after his second-round win over Sebastian Baez on May 26, on the pressure he is under on a daily basis. “We are constantly in the spotlight”he justified himself. “I think the players of 20 or 30 years ago don’t realize how today the slightest incident can be seen by a camera and someone is going to write about it. With social networks, it today there is a lot more involvement and hatred…”
The German’s image has also been tarnished by accusations of domestic violence by his former partner, Olga Sharypova. In a long article published on Racquet Mag in October 2020, the ITF player had denounced “emotional and physical abuse”with some “physical and psychological injuries” caused by the German.
A little less than a year later, in August 2021, Olga Sharypova confirmed her accusations to Slate, dwelling on a particularly violent episode during the Shanghai Masters 1000 in 2019. The German player would have beaten and insulted her, the pushing to inject herself with insulin after an argument. “Since this story, many international journalists “boycott”, says Klaus Bellstedt. At his press conferences at Roland-Garros, there are almost only Germans. He laughs more than anything else, it doesn’t affect him.”
An Independent Safeguarding Report, commissioned by the ATP earlier in the season, has been completed. It represents a key element of the ATP’s overall safeguarding review to ensure all adults and minors involved in professional tennis are safe and protected from abuse.
— ATP Tour (@atptour) October 4, 2021
The revelations prompted the ATP to open an internal investigation last October into Zverev’s behavior in Shanghai. A news welcomed with relief by the German, who denies the facts of which he is accused, and who hopes to be able to “clear his name”as he explained in a press conference before his entry into the running at Indian Wells in 2021.
With this semi-final, Alexander Zverev undoubtedly hopes to begin to delight the supporters. He will have a hard time facing a Rafael Nadal king of the Porte d’Auteuil places, pushed by an audience won over to his cause. Not to mention the sporting issue. In the event of victory, the German would offer his second career Grand Slam final, two years after the US Open. And the opportunity to become the second member of the “next-gen” to lift a Major.