Alexander Zverev arrived in Vienna as the new world No. 1, but his performance against Alex de Minaur appeared to reflect an earlier version of the German. In his semifinal defeat, Zverev complained about the tennis balls and the court, calling both “unbelievably slow,” and also struggled emotionally during the match.
Zverev had adapted to the conditions during his three previous victories at the tournament. However, his 4-6, 6-1, 6-7 loss to the Australian extended a difficult record against elite opposition: it was his ninth defeat in 12 matches against a top-10 opponent. He has also not beaten Jannik Sinner or Carlos Alcaraz for two years, although neither player faced him during his Grand Slam victories in Paris and New York.
The 29-year-old will enter the Masters tournament in Paris with the chance to improve the weakest part of an otherwise strong season. His new position also brings a different set of responsibilities, according to former German world No. 1 Angelique Kerber.
Kerber reached the top in 2016, becoming the third German after Steffi Graf and Boris Becker to lead the women’s rankings. She said that defeating the best players and realizing that she had reached the summit was an unforgettable feeling. But remaining there proved more demanding than getting there.
“Number one is the one being chased,” Kerber said in an interview with the F.A.Z. Every defeat attracts greater scrutiny, she explained, because a loss that might once have been accepted is suddenly viewed as one that should not have happened. Her schedule also became significantly tighter because of additional commitments to tournament organizers, sponsors and herself.
Kerber had achieved one of her major goals by winning the Australian Open at the start of 2016, celebrating by jumping into Melbourne’s Yarra River with her then-coach Torben Beltz. Seven months later, she won the US Open and took over the top ranking the following day. She said the change in her life felt complete and that the mental perspective of being No. 1 was entirely different.
Golf legend Bernhard Langer experienced a similar moment. When the first official golf world ranking was published on April 7, 1986, Langer was at the top. He described it as a great feeling and recognition for years of training and sacrifice. Langer remained No. 1 for three weeks and said the position brought him the recognition and respect associated with being the best in his sport.
Although he never returned to the top, Langer said he managed to remain among the world’s top 10 for many years. Martin Kaymer later became another German men’s No. 1, holding the position for eight weeks in 2011. Becker, Graf, Kerber and table-tennis player Timo Boll also returned to the top after previously dropping from it.
For Kerber, the most rewarding scenario is moving to No. 1 immediately after winning a tournament, or ending a season at the summit. She said she only fully understood the significance when she began the next season as the top seed everywhere. For Zverev, the difficulties of life at the top may already have become clear in Vienna.
Sources: FAZ.