2019 ATP Tour throwing roadblocks at Alexander Zverev
By Harry Floyd
Alexander Zverev continues to see both ups and downs on the 2019 ATP Tour. He splashes out of the Barcelona Open.
Struggles continue for rising tennis star Alexander Zverev on the 2019 ATP Tour. The 22-year-old German is the current ATP Finals champion in men’s singles. He entered the year as one of the top players on tour and we predicted him to be the next superstar in the sport.
Zverev might very well still be that next great superstar in men’s singles tennis. He is, however, struggling as of late and it could continue into the middle months if he doesn’t change things quickly. Clay court season is not treating him well so far…
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The world number three entered the 2019 Barcelona Open as the second seed in men’s singles. The top seed is Spanish legend Rafael Nadal. As for Rafa, he SURVIVES an epic battle during his Barcelona opener. The top seed needed a win following a tough loss in the semifinals at the Monte Carlo Masters.
Unlike Nadal though, Zverev is going home early. He even admits to be in something of a hole right now as he fails to convert on clay yet again. Nicolás Jarry completes the upset in three sets, winning 3-6, 7-5, 7-6 (5).
He moves on and will face another tough opponent in Grigor Dimitrov in the round 16 next. Dimitrov, like Zverev, is also a former ATP Finals champion having won the end of year tournament back in 2017.
What’s next for Zverev? We have to think that his recent struggles are just a flash in the pan. If healthy, he ought to still be considered a top player on the ATP Tour. It is now five straight tournaments of him playing just one or two matches before being ousted. This should raise some red flags but Zverev shouldn’t panic just yet.
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The ATP Tour consists of a long and grueling schedule for any player, Zverev included. While action in men’s singles rolls on at the 2019 Barcelona Open, the young German tennis star will need to reevaluate his performance so far and bounce back in time to make a run at the upcoming French Open.