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Zverev will be ‘major problem’ in future, says Sinner’s coach
The new-look Alexander Zverev will be a “major problem” going forward for Jannik Sinner, according to the Italian’s coach.
Sinner managed to fight off the challenge of Zverev in a compelling Wimbledon final, recovering from a set down to claim a 6-7 (7-9), 7-6 (7-2), 6-3, 6-4 victory and retain his title.
The German has been chasing Sinner and Carlos Alcaraz since they established a duopoly at the top of the men’s game but was so far adrift of the pair at the end of last season that he had fewer than half their ranking points.
But Alcaraz’s wrist injury has opened the door and Zverev has pushed through it, taking advantage of Sinner’s heat issues in Paris to win his first grand slam title and carrying his new-found confidence into Wimbledon.
The 29-year-old, who had never previously gone beyond the fourth round at the All England Club, ripped his forehand and had Sinner in real trouble before the world number one managed to step up his level at the right time.
“I could see also from outside, when he was playing other matches, that the forehand, he was hitting very fast,” said Sinner, who has won his last 10 matches against Zverev.
“He is a very, very tricky player to play against, because you can have several games where you don’t touch the ball because he’s serving so well. Then when he has the ball, now he is trying to make so much damage.”
It is not just the power of Zverev’s serve, which peaked at 139mph on Sunday, but the consistency with which he lands it that is so impressive and, coupled with his newly-explosive forehand, it is a potent mix.
Sinner’s coach Darren Cahill said: “We knew he’s capable of doing it. We just didn’t know how long he could do it for.
“When you try to push yourself to red line on a particular shot, Centre Court Wimbledon, final against Jannik, he did amazing. He nearly won that second set.
“If he continues to play that level of tennis and that style of tennis, he’s already a problem, but he’s going to be a major problem moving forward.”
Zverev has already overtaken Alcaraz to become the new world number two and inserting himself into their rivalry has been a major target.
“I’ve said it at the beginning of the year and I’ve stuck to it – that’s the tennis I want to play,” he said.
“I think I’ve been pushing those guys. I haven’t beaten them this year, but I’ve pushed them to the limits, I would say.
“The last couple of years, I’ve always been the third guy, but I was just far away from those two. So, if I get closer to them, if I can be in the mix competing and winning the big tournaments with them, it would be great.”
Sinner was hugely emotional at the end of the contest, lying flat on his back on the turf and covering his face with his hands.
For a player who has achieved so much in such a short space of time, the 24-year-old has also had to deal with plenty of difficult moments on and off the court.
Last year he lost a heart-breaking five-set French Open final against Alcaraz having held match points, while this year he arrived in Paris as a prohibitive favourite only to dramatically hit the wall in the second round.
“It goes to show the maturity of the player that we’re working with in Jannik, that he can take a kick in the guts like that, come back here, work his ass off,” said Cahill.
“Obviously he’s disappointed after those moments. But it’s a day later we get a phone call, ‘All right boys, what are we doing? Let’s get back on the court. What are we working towards? What’s the plan? Where are we going? What do we need to do to get better?’
“That’s his attitude in tennis and it is his attitude in life. He showed amazing resilience. If you don’t have those tough moments, maybe you never grow like he’s been able to grow.”
