Alexander Zverev and Novak Djokovic share a very good friendship even though they have a big rivalry. Sascha was one of the few players that were vocal in supporting Djokovic during his ordeal in Australia that ended up with his deportation after his visa was canceled.
During a press conference in Melbourne, Sascha Zverev was asked to comment Novak Djokovic’s situation. Zverev showed his support for his friend to say:
“I understand the Australian people’s perspective, I understand the Australian government perspective, but I also do believe that there should have been more communication between the Victoria government and Australian government before Novak came here.”
Sascha revealed that he was unhappy with how the media and the world had negative opinions about Djokovic. Zverev added:
“Once Novak came here, it was very obvious that all of this would start if the government didn’t approve of his visa. It is very difficult for him to be in a position that he is in now, I think the whole world is talking about it, the whole world is talking about one of the greatest tennis players, one of the greatest athletes who ever lived, in such a negative way. Which I find very difficult.”
Finally, Sascha stressed again the fact that there should be more clarity on how vaccination to say:
“I think there should have been clarity. I understand the perspective that, if they say ‘no unvaccinated players should be in Australia’ then he shouldn’t have got into the country. That’s it. Then all of this drama would not have happened.
From my perspective, I feel a little bit sorry for him in the way the world speaks about him.”
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9g-Hi79e6TQ
Zverev at the Australian Open, ranking, and results in 2022
At the moment ranked no.3 (career-high), Alexander achieved a 5-1 win-loss record in 2022. The German is now playing at the Australian Open where he conquered Daniel Altmaier 7-63 6-1 7-61, John Millman 6-4 6-4 6-0 and Radu Albot 6-3 6-4 6-4.
Alexander Zverev will square off with the world no.14 Denis Shapovalov in the 4th round on Sunday at 3:00 pm on Margaret Court Arena. Their current record is 4-2 for Zverev.
Zverev won 19 titles in his career: 6 on hard courts, 6 on clay courts and 7 on indoor courts. (See the list of his titles)
Novak Djokovic in 2022
Now the world no.1, Djokovic played his last match on the 3rd of December 2021 when he defeated world no.27 Marin Cilic 6-4 6-2 in the Rubber 2 of the Davis Cup (draw).
This season Novak achieved an overall 0-0 win-loss record.
Alexander Zverev and Novak Djokovic played each other 11 times. Their record is 7-4 for Djokovic. The last time they played, Alexander Zverev won 7-6(4) 4-6 6-3 in the semifinal in Turin (Nitto ATP Finals) in November 2021.
You can see them in action in the following highlights.
Alexander Zverev and Novak Djokovic |
Embed from Getty Images |