Alexander Zverev proactively confused world number one Novak Djokovic, saying on Saturday (January 15th) that the visa saga that rocked the tennis world ahead of the Australian Open would not undermine his legacy. Defended to.
Djokovic arrived in Melbourne with a medical exemption requiring Australian visitors to be vaccinated with COVID-19, but on Friday after first canceling his visa on arrival and winning the proceedings at the beginning of the week. I canceled it again.
His hope of winning the record 21st Grand Slam title at the Australian Open could be terminated by the outcome of another proceeding on Sunday.
However, Zverev said Djokovic is still a highly regarded person in the sport.
“I don’t know what the perception around the fans is,” he told the media.
“I know he’s still one of the best players in this sport because his achievements aren’t lost. He still has 20 Grand Slams. He’s still Has the most weeks as the best in the world. He still has the most Masters series (titles). Still one of the best players ever for me. This is obviously for everyone. Not particularly good for him, but don’t doubt his legacy for this. “
If Djokovic is absent from the tournament, he will win nine times and increase the chances of a player like Zverev who has been knocking on the door for years in the Grand Slam.
Zverev is a candidate to watch at Melbourne Park with US Open champion Daniil Medvedev, Greek Stefanos Tsitsipas, sixth-seeded Rafael Nadal at the same level as Djokovic, and Roger Federer, who was absent from record 20 Grand Slam titles. I became one of the people.
“I practiced with Rafa. I think Rafa is still playing great,” said Zverev, a Spaniard.
Zverev wore a German-colored T-shirt to win the Tokyo Olympics last year. There, he won the gold medal in singles, the most proud moment of his career.
He said the clothes gave him a good atmosphere before the Grand Slam.
“I had the biggest win in the world’s biggest tournament in this gear, which brings back incredible memories,” he said.
“I just wanted to feel that feeling before the tournament started here.”
Winning the first Grand Slam title at Flushing Meadows last year showed Daniil Medvedev his abilities, and Russia’s second-largest player in the world said on Saturday that he would be more confident in his game in the tournament. ..
Medvedev, who will turn 26 next month, won his first Grand Slam title when he defeated top-ranked Djokovic in a straight set at the US Open in September.
“It gave me more confidence in any tournament I played later,” said the Russian as he was preparing to play his first major as a slam winner.
“Before the tournament, I was a little worried if I wasn’t playing well. For example, two days before the tournament, I lost my practice set, was a little nervous, and sometimes angry.
“That changed this. Now I feel like I have a better understanding of what I can do, how I can play, and what I have to do to play this way. I’m much more confident about my game and knowing my abilities than last year. “
Medvedev has begun the 2022 season when he lost to Frenchman Ugo Humbert in the team-based ATP Cup, but to defeat the next three opponents, including the world’s seventh-largest Italian Matteo Berrettini. It bounced off powerfully.
He advanced to the final of the Australian Open last year and lost to Djokovic. The Russians made a top draw in Melbourne Park, and the Serbs were waiting for the court to decide whether to deport after the visa was canceled.
“Even if Novak is in a draw, he can only be seen in the final,” Medvedev said, launching a campaign against Henri Laaksonen in Switzerland.
“At least yes, you have to win six games before this. The tournament itself and the preparation for the game are not that different.”
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