Get 40% Off
🤯 This Tech Portfolio is up 29% YTD! Join Now to Get April’s Top PicksGet The Picks – Just 99 USD

Tennis: Dimitrov, Zverev ready to step up to grand slam glory

Published 01/13/2018, 02:37 AM
Updated 01/13/2018, 02:40 AM
© Reuters. Tennis - Australian Open - Melbourne, Australia

© Reuters. Tennis - Australian Open - Melbourne, Australia

By Simon cambers

Jan 13 (Reuters) - Grigor Dimitrov and Alexander Zverev, two men who made perhaps the biggest steps forward in 2017, believe they are ready to contend for the title at the Australian Open, which begins in Melbourne on Monday.

Dimitrov starts the year ranked third, having won his biggest title in November when he triumphed at the ATP Tour Finals at the O2 Arena in London.

Germany's Zverev won five titles in 2017, including two Masters 1000 titles, finishing the year just behind Dimitrov as the world number four.

Besides world number one Rafael Nadal and defending champion Roger Federer, Dimitrov and Zverev are considered genuine title threats.

However, Bulgarian Dimitrov, a semi-finalist in Melbourne 12 months ago, is trying not to get ahead of himself.

"Until it's done, I don't want to have any (sixth) sense, to be honest," the Bulgarian told reporters in Melbourne on Saturday.

"Obviously I've achieved certain things that I've always wanted to. I always wanted to be a top-five player. I did it. I wanted to win a Masters 1000 event and I did it. I haven't dreamt that much about winning at the O2, but I did it."

Dimitrov admitted it was a different feeling to see himself as the third seed in a grand slam event, but that the hard work was still to be done.

"It doesn't mean anything," he said. "Of course, I'm pretty happy and excited with what I have achieved. Obviously, I have high expectations of myself. I want to do the best that I can."

GRAND SLAM DISAPPOINTMENT

Zverev emerged from the pack in 2017 with his five titles, including Masters 1000 victories at Rome and Montreal.

The only thing lacking from the German's list of honors is success at the grand slams, having only made it to the last 16 just once, at Wimbledon last summer.

"I think improving the grand slam performances is one thing (he needs)," he said.

"The furthest I've got was to the fourth round of Wimbledon. A lot of times not because I played bad, but because I played very good opponents.

"I lost to Nadal here. I lost to (Milos) Raonic in Wimbledon. Every time in five sets. That's nothing to worry about too much. But obviously that's one goal for me this year."

Zverev, who is now coached by former world number one Juan Carlos Ferrero, said he had no doubts about his ability.

"I've showed on multiple occasions over the year that I can play and beat the best guys in the world," he said.

"I mean, I'm number four in the world for a reason. Not trying to sound cocky or anything, but I've always said that I've always been working hard physically, I'm always trying to improve the performance at the grand slams.

© Reuters. Tennis - Australian Open - Melbourne, Australia

"Hopefully I can do so this week."

Latest comments

Risk Disclosure: Trading in financial instruments and/or cryptocurrencies involves high risks including the risk of losing some, or all, of your investment amount, and may not be suitable for all investors. Prices of cryptocurrencies are extremely volatile and may be affected by external factors such as financial, regulatory or political events. Trading on margin increases the financial risks.
Before deciding to trade in financial instrument or cryptocurrencies you should be fully informed of the risks and costs associated with trading the financial markets, carefully consider your investment objectives, level of experience, and risk appetite, and seek professional advice where needed.
Fusion Media would like to remind you that the data contained in this website is not necessarily real-time nor accurate. The data and prices on the website are not necessarily provided by any market or exchange, but may be provided by market makers, and so prices may not be accurate and may differ from the actual price at any given market, meaning prices are indicative and not appropriate for trading purposes. Fusion Media and any provider of the data contained in this website will not accept liability for any loss or damage as a result of your trading, or your reliance on the information contained within this website.
It is prohibited to use, store, reproduce, display, modify, transmit or distribute the data contained in this website without the explicit prior written permission of Fusion Media and/or the data provider. All intellectual property rights are reserved by the providers and/or the exchange providing the data contained in this website.
Fusion Media may be compensated by the advertisers that appear on the website, based on your interaction with the advertisements or advertisers.
© 2007-2024 - Fusion Media Limited. All Rights Reserved.