Andy Roddick Lauds Alexander Zverev’s Conduct During US Open Final: “He Was the Energy Vampire”

Alexander Zverev knew that the majority of the crowd at Arthur Ashe Stadium would support Ben Shelton, so he maintained a laser-sharp focus throughout his US Open final, which he won in four sets, becoming a two-time Grand Slam champion in process. Andy Roddick, even though he hasn’t noticed any improvements in Zverev’s game, lauded the way he carried himself during the final.

Zverev suffered early exits in both warm-up events he played before arriving at Flushing Meadows and dropped a combined four sets in his first and second-round matches. Following those two tough wins, the German went on to win his next four matches in straight sets.

Zverev’s serve was broken just once from the three break point opportunities Shelton created in the final. Sascha converted four of the six break points. Zverev was so focused that after Shelton’s shot went outside on match point, he didn’t even realize that he had won the match.

He thought that instead of 6-2 in the fourth set, he was leading 5-1, and so he was returning to his position to serve. But the moment he saw the scoreline and glanced toward his team, he raised his arms in celebration.

I know everyone is now going to say that it’s the new Zverev and that he is playing better than ever. He was a great player before Roland Garros, who had mental demons about finishing and winning a Grand Slam. That’s it. He has not changed everything. He talked about being freer at Wimbledon and being freer here.

Andy Roddick said on his Served podcast

Zverev, after three unsuccessful attempts in Grand Slam finals, won his career’s first title at this level at the French Open by defeating Flavio Cobolli. Then, for the first time in his career, the 29-year-old not only progressed beyond the fourth round of Wimbledon but reached the final, only to lose to defending champion Jannik Sinner.

The other thing he did, which I thought was incredibly smart, was that there was no gesturing to his box or complaining to his box. Week one he was chippy, and he was not playing well. But he was super chippy. But tonight there was no positive emotion, he’d win a point and head down. He was the energy vampire for Arthur Ashe Stadium. It was the perfect temperament for that place, it was like all I want to do is deflate your enthusiasm.

Andy Roddick added

Zverev will be ending the season with more Grand Slam titles than Carlos Alcaraz and Sinner, both of whom won one title each, at the Australian Open and Wimbledon, respectively.

John McEnroe on Alexander Zverev’s No.1 ranking chances

Alexander Zverev is just 1,810 points behind World No.1 Jannik Sinner. The now two-time Grand Slam champion has already talked about reaching the career-best ranking of No.1 being one of his major goals this season. John McEnroe believes Zverev can finish the season on top of the rankings.

He was arguably unlucky. He should have had a couple of Majors before this. So, karma works in crazy ways, and somehow, he’s gonna finish the year the number one-ranked player in the world.

John McEnroe said on ESPN

Sinner and Zverev have 11,500 and 9,690 points, respectively, on the rankings table. The Italian ace, due to a knee injury, skipped the US Open, where he finished as the runner-up last year.

Alcaraz, however, competed in New York as the defending champion, also playing his first tournament since recovering from his wrist injury. He lost to Ben Shelton in five sets in the quarterfinals. Sinner reclaimed his No.1 ranking from the seven-time Grand Slam champion after beating him in the Monte-Carlo Masters final this season.

Also read: Coco Gauff’s Ex-Coach Breaks Down Ben Shelton’s Costly Tactical Errors in US Open Final