“Bring back the real Davis Cup,” said World No.2 Alexander Zverev last year. In recent times, the Davis Cup has shifted from a home-and-away format to a single host city. Zverev is one of those who have never been in favor of this massive change and he has made it evident once again while taking a jab at the authorities.

Back in 2019, the organizers decided to change the structure of how the Davis Cup used to be played. In old days, participating nations had the opportunity to compete in home and away encounters. The event was spread across four weeks with teams playing five best-of-five sets. However, the ITF changed this format five years ago, ahead of the 2019 edition. The new format reduced the event’s duration to a week with participating nations engaging in three best-of-three matches, at a single venue/host city. In an interaction with Tennis Magazin, Alexander Zverev didn’t hesitate in expressing his unfiltered thoughts on this situation.

When asked about his feelings over the Davis Cup’s overhaul, Zverev said, “As it is now, it is not a Davis Cup, it is an exhibition tournament.” Continuing further, he added, “I love tennis. I am a very proud tennis player. Sure we all play for money, but money is not everything. I really love tennis with all my heart. For me, the Davis Cup is part of the tennis history. What is happening now has nothing to do with tennis history. It’s like a United Cup without points.”

For the unversed, Alexander Zverev didn’t participate in this year’s Davis Cup which was held last month in Malaga, Spain. However, his decision was owing to his ill health which forced him to withdraw his name. “Unfortunately, I will not be able to represent Germany at the Davis Cup finals in Malaga,” he said in October. “It was a very demanding season in which I had to play through with a knee injury in order to be able to take part in the Olympic Games,” Zverev added.

Zverev, in the meantime, is thinking about having a new coach as well. And who could be a better candidate for the role than his compatriot and idol Boris Becker? But can it materialize?

Alexander Zverev on the possibilities of Boris Becker as his coach

In the same interview with Tennis Magazin, Zverev also revealed his feelings about Boris Becker. He has time and again expressed the wish to have the former World No.1 and German legend as his coach. However, he’s not sure of how well Boris will accompany him across various ATP tours when it comes to traveling. “I love Boris and I also believe that he has an incredible knowledge of tennis. But I don’t know what it’s like to travel with him,” he said. “That is the only thing that is a question mark with him. As soon as he has solved and clarified this, one can talk about it,” he added.

“We always have contact with him and often talk to each other. Now for Australia, it will stay as it is and then I will look,” said Zverev. As of now, Zverev is going to stick with his current team which comprises his parents. They have been accompanying him on ATP tours for several years now. They will be there with him during the Australian Open as well next month. After that, however, it will be interesting to see whether the German ends up striking a partnership with Boris going forward in 2025.

Speaking about Boris Becker, he has always showered praises on Sascha Zverev. When he won his first ATP Finals title in 2018, Boris expressed his admiration for the young tennis sensation. “For years we have been saying tennis needs new faces and strong new players – and he’s proved he is the best of the next generation,” he said.

Six years ago, Zverev succeeded in overcoming the likes of Roger Federer and Novak Djokovic on his way to a title triumph at the ATP Finals. Alexander defeated Novak in the championship match 6-4, 6-3, and lifted the trophy. Following his stupendous run, Boris said, “To beat them back-to-back in one of the biggest tournaments in the world tells him, most importantly, but also the world, that he is going to be the next big thing.”

If this potential partnership materializes at any stage, it will be an absolute treat for the fans. But it’s a big ‘if.’ What do you think?