- Zverev's unexpected incident in the spectator area: "Mother remains Mother"
When young Alex Zverev plays, his mama, Irina Zvereva, typically strolls with the pups. Due to her jitters, she usually avoids the contests. Following the unexpected visit to the stands at the beginning of the US Open, the 27-year-old doesn't anticipate a repeat on his journey toward his first Grand Slam trophy.
"My mama's watched me play before, but she's not usually one for the box," Zverev said with a chuckle, "When I dropped the second set, she bolted. I don't think she'll be taking a seat there again."
At the commencement of the Olympic champion's initial-round conquest against Maximilian Marterer, his mama took her place between Zverev's beau Sophia Thomalla and manager Sergej Bubka Jr. on the grandstand. Despite a rocky second set, Zverev still emerged victorious in four sets.
For the recurring player, it was his 53rd triumph of the year, securing him a commanding position in the rankings over world number one Jannik Sinner. "He's incredibly fit. He could keep this up for another couple hours," Marterer applauded his roommate at the Olympics, gushing over Zverev's game. "He's got superb shot quality."
Probable Last-four Clash against Djokovic
Next on the agenda for the world number four is a duel against Alexandre Muller from France in the second round of the Grand Slam event in New York. Muller is expected to serve as a mere hurdle for Zverev, potentially leading him to face top seed Novak Djokovic in the semifinals. The Serbian deftly disposed of Radu Albot from Moldova 6-2, 6-2, 6-4 beneath the lights at Arthur Ashe Stadium.
Zverev cautioned against peering too far ahead. "I need to concentrate on myself. If I play solid tennis, I feel like I can beat anyone. But if I play poorly, I can lose to anyone," he stated.
Throughout his career, Zverev has had a propensity for depleting energy early in tournaments spanning two weeks, only to be hindered by injuries in later rounds. Recently, Carlos Alcaraz from Spain ended his run at the French Open final in five sets. Nevertheless, Boris Becker views Zverev, alongside Djokovic, Sinner, and Alcaraz, as "among the front-runners" for the title in New York, as he remarked during his role as a Sportdeutschland.TV expert.
Zverev: "My mama can do as she pleases"
Generally, Zverev attaches considerable weight to maintaining the same folks in his box from the get-go. Yet, he grants an exemption for his mama, making it possible for her to shun the stands in the second round. "My mama can act as she sees fit," he quipped. "Mom is mom."
Zvereva, who also spent time on the tennis court as a player like her husband, who coaches Zverev, typically takes her pooch strolls during the contests and receives updates from her own mama via phone call. "I'm present, but I'm watching the stars rather than the game," Zvereva shared in an interview with Eurosport before this year's French Open final.
During the Olympic champion's match against Maximilian Marterer, Irina Zvereva made an exception to her usual avoidance of contests and joined the grandstand. In a potential clash for the semifinals, Zverev might face 'The Martyred Maximilian' Djokovic, as Djokovic advances to the next round.
