Andrea Petkovic is critical of Alexander Zverev’s decision to play in Hamburg despite his health problems. She also holds the German number one’s team responsible.
Andrea Petkovic has criticized Alexander Zverev’s performance at the ATP tournament in Hamburg. This was particularly in relation to the health problems that Zverev himself revealed after his early exit in the round of 16.
“That really worries me. It may be harsh, but I don’t think he should have played,” said the former top player in the latest edition of her podcast ‘Becker Petkovic’ in conversation with Boris Becker.
Zverev lost to Frenchman Alexandre Muller at Hamburg’s Rothenbaum a few days before the start of the French Open in Paris. He revealed afterwards that he had vomited several times the night before and also had a fever.
“Why the hell are you going out on court?”
“If you’re really sick, if you have a fever of 40 degrees, if you throw up 50 times, why the hell do you go on court five days before a Grand Slam where you have the best chance of winning?” Petkovic questioned Zverev’s ambition in this context.
“I respect Sascha’s toughness—he’s one of the hardest workers in the world. He’s really tough, he doesn’t let himself get down,” Petkovic emphasized.
At the same time, the 37-year-old called on Zverev’s entourage to take responsibility. “But in this case, someone has to pull the plug, throw in the towel and say: ‘Bro, we’re going to Paris, you sleep for two days, we’ll make you some nice electrolyte drinks, bring you soup in bed, and then we’ll train. And we’ll focus on Roland Garros.’”
When Becker asked who exactly should throw in the towel in that case, Petkovic said: “Ideally, it should be Sascha himself, of course.”
Becker: “That’s what’s missing at the moment.”
Becker himself does not see anyone in Zverev’s entourage who could intervene in such a case. “I think that’s what’s missing at the moment. Someone needs to take this very determined, self-confident and strong Sascha Zverev aside and tell him: ‘Son, this is bad for you right now.’”
He lacks someone at his side “who throws in the white towel in an emergency situation.”
At the same time, however, Becker also showed understanding for Zverev. “He’s from Hamburg, he feels a commitment to the Hamburg audience. The main sponsor of the tournament is also one of his sponsors. Tennis is a business. You can’t forget that.”
Petkovic on Zverev: “Things that make him strong”
Petkovic did not want her comments to be taken as general criticism, but referred in particular to the timing so close to the start of what is a particularly important Grand Slam for Zverev, as it has been his most successful in Paris in the past.
“All these things, like him going on court with a fever, are exactly what make him strong,” Petkovic emphasized.
Zverev will play his opening match at the French Open early Tuesday afternoon. The world number three will face 19-year-old American Learner Tien.
