By Richard Pagliaro | @TennisNow | Friday, January 24, 2025
Photograph credit score: Shi Tang/Getty
Novak Djokovic and Alexander Zverev share a uncommon gold normal.
Grand Slam king Djokovic says he’ll be rooting for Zverev to boost Grand Slam silverware for the primary time when the world No. 2 faces world No. 1 Jannik Sinner within the Australian Open last on Sunday.
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After dropping a grueling 81-minute first set to Zverev, 7-6(5), Djokovic retired from their AO semifinal as a consequence of a muscle tear.
In his post-match presser, Olympic gold medal champion Djokovic stated he will probably be cheering for 2020 gold-medal winner Zverev to dethrone defending-champion Sinner and seize his maiden main.
“I want Sascha all the very best,” Djokovic informed the media in Melbourne. “You realize, he deserves his first Slam. I will be cheering for him.
“Hopefully he can get it right here.irst slam. I will be cheering for him. Hopefully he can get it right here.”
Twice, Zverev has put himself in place to win Grand Slam titles.
Within the Roland Garros last final June, Zverev was one set from the title earlier than Carlos Alcaraz fought off the German 6-3, 2-6, 5-7, 6-1, 6-2 in a 4 hour, 19-minute marathon to seize his first Roland Garros championship with a fervent end. Zverev carried a 10-1 file in Roland Garros five-setters into the ultimate set of the 2024 last however couldn’t shut.
Zverev endured the stinging ache of coming achingly near a maiden main solely to lose a lead once more. On the 2020 US Open, Zverev held two units to like lead over Dominic Thiem earlier than tightening up and bowing in 5 units.
The excellent news for Zverev is he owns a 4-2 edge over Sinner of their head-to-head collection, together with successful two of their three main conferences.
If Zverev wants extra emotional gasoline forward of the ultimate, contemplate Sinner gave the impression to be battling leg cramps within the last set of his semifinal win over Ben Shelton and was unwell final week.
Now, Zverev will take the court docket carrying the endorsement of 10-time AO champion Djokovic—and he is grateful for the help.
“Which means loads to me, particularly from Novak, I believe, who I like and respect a lot,” Zverev stated. “Yeah, as I stated, I am wanting ahead to Sunday. I do really feel like I’ve carried out the work, and I do really feel like I am prepared for it. So we’ll see the way it goes.
“I am very grateful to Novak for wishing me that. Yeah, let’s examine what is going on to occur on the weekend.”
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