German Alexander Zverev is the next big name after Rafael Nadal, who has confirmed his participation in the Mutua Madrid Open Virtual Pro tournament that will be held at the end of this month. (Getty Images)
Alexander Zverev likes it when people talk negatively about him and prove them wrong.
World No.7 Zverev is currently featuring at the 27th edition of the ATP tournament which is held in Acapulco, Mexico.
Touted as a future star, Zverev was in conversation with a reporter on a range of topics, when she asked him how he managed to perform at the highest level despite people criticising him for his performances at the Grand Slams.
Zverev, who reached the semi-finals of the Australian Open Grand Slam earlier this year replied to the journalist’s query by saying that he liked to listen to people talk about him negatively and later prove them wrong with his game.
“Yeah, I mean obviously, I like when people talk negative about me, to be honest. They have done the whole last year and usually when they do that, usually start talking about someone else I like to prove points.
“The Grand Slams is always something, though I didn’t play my best. One of the big tournaments I have won. ATP Finals, the Masters’ events but the Grand Slams is the event where I didn’t play my best.
“I feel like I could have done that this year in Australia and I hope I can continue going this year and show kind of that I am still the tennis player that I am and improve.”
Zverev ended on a hopeful note saying that he wanted to show the public that he was still the same tennis player he once was.
Meanwhile, ‘Next Gen’ star Zverev began his Mexico Open campaign in style with a win in the opening game of the tournament.
Zverev shook off a slow start to overcome Jason Jung of Chinese Taipei 7-6, 6-1 to advance into the second round in Acapulco.
“The longer the match went, the better I started to play,” Zverev said during his on-court interview after the match.
“My serve is something that I need to improve, but all in all, it’s the first round that I expected. It could have been a lot tougher.”
Tournament second-seed Zverev will next face Tommy Paul of America in the to book a berth in the quarterfinals.
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