Alexander Zverev backs Novak Djokovic to break more tennis records - Chuyên Trang Chia Sẻ Kiến Thức Thời Trang Mới Nhất

By India Today Web Desk: German tennis star Alexander Zverev has backed World No. 1 Novak Djokovic to break more tennis records and finish with an envious trophy cabinet. Zverev said he is happy for Djokovic equaled German great Steffi Graf’s record for most weeks spent at the top spot in tennis rankings.

Novak Djokovic, who won the Australian Open title in 2023 completing the La Decima at Melbourne Park, has spent 377 weeks as No. 1 in men’s singles tennis. By next week, Djokovic will break Steffi Graf’s record for the most weeks at No. 1 by a male or female tennis player.

Djokovic equaled Rafael Nadal’s all-time record of 22 Grand Slam titles by a men’s singles player when he defeated Stefanos Tsitsipas for the Australian Open title. The Serb also has 93 tour-level titles, 10 behind Roger Federer’s all-time record of 103. Djokovic, 35, is looking hungry for more and the Serb’s form and fitness suggests he would go on to win more even as Rafael Nadal has been struggling with injury concerns.

“I’m sure that he’s going to break a few more records, to be honest. I’m not sure there are many left, but the ones that are left, maybe he will,” Zverev told Gulf Times.

“I think over the last 10, 12 years he has absolutely dominated tennis. There is a reason why he’s been consistently at the top of the game,” he added.

“That shows us with this record, from male or female tennis players, he’s going to be the most weeks at No. 1. He’s surpassing Steffi, so as a German, obviously I always loved her having that record, but credit to Novak. I think that shows how great he is,” he added.

‘CAN PLAY PRETTY FREELY NOW’

Meanwhile, Alexander Zverev said that he is feeling better after having recovered from an ankle injury that kept him out of action for close 7 months. Zverev had surgery to repair damaged ankle ligaments following an injury he sustained during his French Open semi-final against Rafael Nadal in June last year.

Zverev returned to action at the United Cup, losing both matches in the mixed-team tournament before facing a second-round exit at Australian Open after losing to lower-ranked American Michael Mmoh.

Last week, Zverev was knocked out in the second round of ATP 500 in Rotterdam but the 25-year-old said he is pain free and is looking to find peak form, once again.

“I don’t have it in the back of my mind. A few weeks ago I used to still get signals from my foot. It’s in the right direction, and I feel like I can play pretty freely now.” he said.

“I felt that way in Rotterdam. I thought I played a lot better in Rotterdam than I did the previous weeks, even though I lost second round.

“I’m looking forward to the next few weeks, and hopefully it still gets progressively better.”

Zverev will face Andy Murray in the Doha second round on Wednesday.

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