Zverev: "Being a father has made me change, now I want to be a good example"
The German claims his good actions on and off the track, saying that Federer is an inspiration to not lose his temper on the court.
Controlling outbursts of anger that arise during a tennis match is not easy, and Alexander Zverev has made a lot of progress in that regard over the years. After reaching the semifinals of the ATP Masters 1000 Toronto 2025, he attended a press conference to talk about how the tournament conditions benefit him, but also about the legacy he wants to leave for future generations, beyond his sports results.
He came in as the top favorite for the title at the ATP Masters 1000 Toronto 2025 and with a lot to prove to amend the bad feelings of recent months. Alexander Zverev seems to have reset after what happened at Wimbledon and is in the process of regaining his best form. He is already showing signs of improvement at the Canadian tournament, where he shared interesting reflections on various topics after securing his spot in the semifinals, where he will face Karen Khachanov.
- Evaluation of his victory against Popyrin
"I am very satisfied with my level of tennis. Beating Popyrin here is very commendable. Losing the first set was frustrating; I think I was very unlucky, but I adjusted my return position and played more aggressively. He has an impressive tennis game when inspired, if he can maintain this level from now until the end of the year, he will be able to break into the top ranks of the world," he commented.
- Why the Toronto court benefits his tennis
"Look, it's a fast court, and the balls are fast too. I know that benefits me, but I needed time to adapt and feel the ball well on my racket. I am now achieving that, and I am convinced that I will play even better in the semifinals. Having had a month's rest after my defeat at Wimbledon has been key to arriving here in good shape. I rested for a whole week and then had a good training block, and it shows," mentioned the German player.
- Managing frustration and the legacy he wants to leave
"Some time ago, I would have smashed a racket after the first set, but I have not done so in three and a half years, and it will continue to be that way. I have accepted the responsibility I have as a person to be a tennis role model. Becoming a father has changed me; I want to set a good example and be remembered for my tennis and the good things I do off the court, such as with my Foundation, not for my outbursts of anger. In a way, Federer has been an inspiration for making this change. Seeing how he lost his temper when he was young and then became absolute perfection made me make this decision," affirmed Alexander Zverev, who is two matches away from the title at the ATP Masters 1000 Toronto 2025.
This is an automatic translation. You can read the original news, Zverev: "Ser padre me ha hecho cambiar, ahora quiero ser un buen ejemplo"