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Zverev is trembling because of the weather chaos surrounding the FC Bayern game
April 17, 2024, 7:43 p.m
For the first time since 2021, Alexander Zverev is in the quarterfinals of the ATP tournament in Munich. On the way there he not only has to deal with opponent Jurij Rodionov, but also with rain, hail and several forced breaks. But the Olympic champion defies all odds.
Alexander Zverev was in a better mood than he had been in Munich for a long time. As soon as he had reached the quarter-finals of the ATP tournament at the MTTC Iphitos for the first time since 2021, he let out one casual statement after another – partly because he said this to the amusement of the audience, who, like the Hamburg resident, had to endure two long interruptions in the rain The winner’s interview had to be conducted in English after his 7:6 (7:3), 6:2 against Jurij Rodionov from Austria on Center Court.
“I would have drunk 16 beers if I had had that much time,” Zverev then joked in German – and earned laughter from the audience, who had to pass the time during the two rain breaks of 3:15 hours. Then he was in a hurry to get to the quarter-finals of the Champions League between FC Bayern and Arsenal. “Bayern Munich is playing tonight. That’s kind of my priority,” he told the referee.
Zverev plays in long clothes
Zverev, tournament winner in 2017 and 2018, who recently failed twice in his first appearance at the MTTC Iphitos facility, used his second match point after a playing time of 1:40 hours against the 118th in the world rankings, who was particularly strong in the first set had shown rebelliousness.
“It was a very special match, but Munich and the weather are always special, we also had snow,” said Zverev happily in English, “I’m happy that I’m in the quarter-finals again after a long time.” Because of the eight-degree temperature and cold wind, he wore a long-sleeved shirt and leggings under his tennis clothes and blew a few times into his cold hands.
When the score was 5:4, the match had to be interrupted for the first time. After a break that lasted 2:17 hours, Zverev confidently prevailed in the tiebreak thanks to his strong serve, after which heavy rain set in again. After another hour’s compulsory break, the fifth in the world rankings was immediately up to speed. He quickly got breaks to make it 2:1 and 4:1 against his opponent, who was now losing a lot of ground. The rest was a formality.
Of the initially eight Germans in the main field of the BMW Open, which is endowed with 651,865 euros, only Zverev, Jan- Lennard Struff and Yannick Hanfmann in the competition. Struff, seeded number four, will play his opening match against the Dutchman Botic van de Zandschulp on Thursday.