US Open champion Alexander Zverev has been honoured in Halle for his triumph at the US Open. During the second qualifying round of the Davis Cup in Halle, Westphalia, the new Minister of Sport, Ronald Rauhe, and DTB President Dietloff von Arnim paid tribute to the Hamburg native’s second Grand Slam title.
“I believe you have shown all of us in Germany that it’s worth dreaming big,” said Rauhe to Zverev on Centre Court, adding: “A huge thank you for being such a role model for us in Germany.”
Von Arnim, who presented Zverev with a cheque for his diabetes foundation, hailed him as “Germany’s finest individual sportsman” and praised the 29-year-old for keeping his promise to compete in the Davis Cup despite his busy schedule.
Zverev was visibly moved and addressed the crowd in Halle directly: “It’s been an incredible journey over the last few years. Standing here and celebrating Grand Slam victories with you all means a great deal to me.”
Zverev will also be representing the DTB team, captained by Michael Kohlmann, on Sunday. After the Hamburg native won his match against Matej Dodig on Saturday, but Daniel Altmaier subsequently lost to Dino Prizmic, the score between Germany and Croatia stands at 1–1.
