Alexander Zverev was outstanding at the Olympics. He made his long-awaited breakthrough on the global stage to win the gold medal for Germany in Tokyo. The 24-year-old mightily defeated Novak Djokovic in the semi-finals before overcoming Karen Khachanov in the gold medal match to claim the prize. Historically, Zverev became the first German to win the gold medal in tennis, ending the reign of Andy Murray at the games. The tale of the Brit is one that Zverev should aim to channel as he aims to kickstart his career in the Grand Slams, where he has so far been unsuccessful despite his incredible talent.
Zverev reached the final of the US Open in 2020, capitalising on the absence of Roger Federer and Rafael Nadal along with Djokovic’s early disqualification. However, the German was bested by Dominic Thiem at Flushing Meadows, ending his hope of a first major triumph. He will be aiming to deliver a stronger performance in 2021, currently standing as the third-favourite and backed in the US Open 2021 odds at 15/2 to win the competition. Of course, Djokovic is the ultimate favourite to win at 8/11 and Nadal is also in play, though he’s regarded as fifth-favourite in the line-up with drifting odds of 9/1. As we all know, tennis is a fickle game and with the likes of these competitive athletes on the court, all we can do is wait and see who delivers as the tournament progresses.
It will be a difficult proposition considering Zverev’s form in the majors this term. His path at the Grand Slams titles have been blocked by Djokovic and Stefanos Tsitsipas, as he lost to the Serb in the quarter-finals of the Australian Open and the Greek in the last four of the French Open.
In addition, the German’s journey at Wimbledon was ended by Felix Auger-Aliassime in a five-set thriller that could have gone either way. The triumph at Tokyo proves that he has what it takes to surge all the way and beat the best in the game, and the confidence taken from that victory may just be what he requires to take the next step.
Murray had a similar tale in 2012 when he won the first of his two gold medals. The Brit had been thwarted in Grand Slams on four occasions, including Wimbledon in 2012, before he finally made his breakthrough. Federer defeated Murray at the All England Club in June, but Murray had his revenge in the Olympic final, crushing the Swiss in straight sets.
The triumph over Federer gave him the confidence to take forward into the 2012 US Open. Presented with his fifth chance to win his first Grand Slam, Murray finally took the opportunity to defeat Djokovic in a five-set thriller at Flushing Meadows, becoming the first British man to win a major since Fred Perry in 1936.
Germany has not been waiting that long for a major winner given the exploits of Boris Becker, although the last of his wins came in 1996 at the Australian Open. Zverev has rounded into form, but now must take the momentum forward from his Olympic win and challenge the best in the world on a consistent basis.
Djokovic will be out for revenge at the US Open, while the likes of Thiem, Tsitsipas and Daniil Medvedev will also be on the scene. Nadal may return from injury and Federer does not appear to be willing to call it day just yet. Zverev made a statement in Tokyo, now he must make another one for his Grand Slam career in New York.
