Zverev hopes to be US Open contender after burnout phase
Berlin
Alexander Zverev is confident that he can be a title contender again by the time the US Open start later this month, after admitting to wrong decisions and a phase of burnout earlier this year culminating in a first-round exit at Wimbledon.
World number three Zverev told the Nothing Major podcast that it all went downhill after he got 'smoked' by Jannik Sinner in the Australian Open final in January.
'A lot of the time I have felt quite lost on the court, especially after the Australian Open final. I had a tough time mentally after that match. I feel I made a few mistakes,' he said.
'Instead of going home, resting, realising what happened and working through it I spent three days at home and then went straight to Argentina. I shouldn't have done that looking back.'
Zverev did not get beyond the quarter-finals in three February tournaments in South and central America, and his only title this year came later in Munich.
The Tokyo 2020 Olympic champion said he had 'a little bit of a burnout for a couple of months. 'I wasn't feeling very motivated to play, not very motivated to practice, and enjoying my time on the court. I was losing quite a lot of matches. I paid the price for that,' he said.
Zverev then admitted to mental problems after his early Wimbledon exit, but said he 'made the best out of it' afterwards.
'I pulled out of a few tournaments, I took time off and I do feel fresher, and fresher in my mind to compete again,' added Zverev, who returned this week in Toronto for the Rodgers Cup masters event.
Zverev reached his first of three grand slam finals, which he all lost, at the New York grand slam in 2020. This year's edition starts on August 24.
Zverev trained for several days at the academy of former great Rafael Nadal in Mallorca, and reiterated his hope that Nadal's uncle, Toni Nadal, can be at his side more often from next year.
'He believes that I can win a major, but only if I play with more courage. I know that, but it is different to hear it from him,' Zverev said.
Swiatek and Anisimova advance in Montreal
Wimbledon champion Iga Swiatek cruised to a 6-2, 6-2 win over Germany's Eva Lys at the National Bank Open in Montreal, wrapping up the match in just over an hour.
Jessica Pegula's bid for a third straight Montreal title was ended by world number 386 Anastasija Sevastova.
The Latvian, a former world number 11 who has had lengthy spells out on maternity leave and with a torn ACL, beat the third seed 3-6, 6-4, 6-1.
Emma Raducanu was dumped out as she went down 6-2, 6-1 to American fifth seed Amanda Anisimova.
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