Zverev remains confident amid personal upheaval

FILE – Germany’s Alexander Zverev celebrates after winning against Argentina’s Diego Schwartzman (not in picture) in the men‘s final of the ‘Bett1Hulks Championships’ tennis tournament at the Lanxess Arena in Cologne, western Germany, on October 25, 2020. (Photo by Ina Fassbender / AFP)

US Open finalist Alexander Zverev insisted Saturday he is on track to contend for a maiden Grand Slam title despite a mounting personal toll off the court.

The world number seven will spearhead Germany in the ATP Cup starting in Melbourne Tuesday as he eyes a first Slam trophy at the subsequent Australian Open.

But Zverev, who fell agonizingly short in New York to Dominic Thiem, has endured a tumultuous period including allegations of domestic abuse by a former girlfriend and a recent split with coach David Ferrer.

The 23-year-old, however, said he remained buoyed by his strong showing in the majors last year, which included a semi-final finish at the Australian Open.

“I worked extremely hard in the off-season,” he said. “I’d like to think that I did everything I could to be as well-prepared as I can be.”

Zverev received criticism last year, most notably from outspoken Australian Nick Kyrgios, for flaunting social distancing rules at the ill-fated Adria Tour exhibition tournament organized by world No.1 Novak Djokovic.

The German, however, backed the strict measures imposed on players ahead of the Australian season.

“I don’t think I lost much (fitness),” he said. “Being able to play in front of a crowd, not living in a bubble now during the tournament, I think a lot of players really appreciate that.

“We shouldn’t really complain too much about the circumstances.”

But Zverev did agree with sentiment from some players that superstars Djokovic and Rafael Nadal were given an advantage by preparing in the southern city of Adelaide rather than Melbourne.

“I think maybe the only real mistake there was maybe the Adelaide thing for the top players,” he said. “They did get more practice time on court. They did have more freedom in a way.”

After coming out of the mandatory 14-day quarantine period, Zverev faces a tough initiation against Djokovic and Canada’s Denis Shapovalov in the truncated 12-team ATP Cup.

Amid a wretched ATP Cup debut last year, where he lost all three matches, Zverev claimed just four games against No.12 Shapovalov.

“We’ll know exactly where I’m at, my level and what I need to improve (after the ATP Cup),” he said.