Alexander Zverev is part of a unique generation, who were both thwarted by the Big Three and the New Two.
Having failed to capitalise on the brief period between these two generations, it really felt as though the German in particular was going to end his career, widely regarded as the best player to have never won a Grand Slam title.
He could have been forgiven for failing to bypass Roger Federer, Rafael Nadal or Novak Djokovic, but to have been so quickly usurped by Carlos Alcaraz and Jannik Sinner, despite most naming him as the Big Three’s successor, marked a surprise to many.
Fortunately for him, he has taken full advantage of the opportunity presented to him in the form of two high-profile injuries, and has claimed two majors at last.
Having been ever-present throughout these two defining eras of modern tennis, Zverev feels best placed to highlight the differences between them.
Alexander Zverev explains how tennis has changed since he came onto the ATP Tour
Speaking after his straightforward China Open victory earlier today, where he dropped just three games en route to beating Shang Juncheng, Zverev was asked whether he felt tennis has gotten worse since he first emerged onto the ATP Tour, seeking to tackle the likes of Federer and Nadal.
“Worse definitely not,” he began, adding: “I feel like everything evolves. As humans, we evolve. Sports evolve. Technology evolves. I think everything evolves.”
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The 28-year-old continued: “The technology in tennis is very important. I think the racquet, strings, everything that comes with it, makes the game faster, makes the game more powerful. I think nowadays the game is more powerful. It is much, much quicker.
“I think the court surfaces have changed. The balls have changed. It’s a different kind of tennis that you play nowadays. I’ve always said that.
“10 years ago when I came on tour, tennis was a lot more tactical. You had to think how to play tennis. Now I feel like it’s a lot to do with power. Whoever hits the better forehand, the better backhand is going to win most of the matches.
“I feel like that’s something that’s evolved.”
In that same press conference, Zverev made a comment about the world number one spot, following Sinner’s withdrawal from the Shanghai Masters.
