Alexander Zverev Says He’s Better Now Than A Year Ago

Still just 21, Alexander Zverev has a long way to go. And the German star says he’s always improving. A year ago, Zverev was 36-13 with three titles and held a ranking of No. 8.

This week he enters Washington 36-11 with two titles and a No. 3 ranking. And he comes in as the defending champion after beating Kevin Anderson it the final last year.

While he’s recorded the same number of wins, he did win both Munich and Madrid and reached his first Grand Slam quarterfinal at the French Open.

“I think I’m a better player than I was last year,” Zverev said. “I think I’m better prepared, I think I’m better physically. Also, I think tennis-wise, there are thing that I’ve improved.

“I think you can always improve. There are always areas where you can improve until the end of your career,” Zverev added. “But the competition doesn’t sleep, either. They’re all trying to find ways. They’re trying to improve as well. It’s been an exciting year so far, and hopefully it will be in the second half of the year as well.”

The top-seeded Zverev will open play in D.C. against the Donskoy-Jaziri winner. He could meet his older brother, Mischa, in the third round, followed by Kei Nishikori or Denis Shapovalov in the quarters and David Goffin the semifinals.