Wimbledon 2024: Ominous Roger Federer Fact Forces Alexander Zverev to Deftly Boast About His Chance at Glory

Alexander Zverev has been one of the consistent performers in the Tour for the 2024 season. He has reached at least the semis in three Grand Slams since 2022, but unfortunately for the German fans, Wimbledon is yet to see the best of him. Zverev has never gone beyond the fourth round in his previous seven attempts. However, with the absence of some of the biggest names in the tennis world, like Roger Federer and Rafael Nadal, has the time finally arrived for the world number 4?

Even Novak Djokovic and Andy Murray have been struggling with injuries over the last few months. The 2023 Wimbledon Championships saw the rise of a new grass-court star! Who will win it this year, and how different is the tournament this year compared to previous editions? Speaking on the same during a recent press conference, Alexander Zverev said, “I actually talked about it with my brother (Mischa). It’s the first time I really feel like I’m here to be a competitor, to maybe win the title.”

He further said, “I didn’t feel like that previous years when I came here. I didn’t feel like I was capable. But I also think this is the most open Wimbledon Championship that we maybe had in 20 years in terms of favorites, in terms of potential winners.” With the absence of some of the heavy hitters, Alexander Zverev believes there are multiple guys who really have a decent chance of going deep and winning the tournament this year. “I don’t think it has been like that for maybe 20 years since before Roger started playing, right? After Roger came Rafa, Novak, Andy (Murray).” 

Roger Federer has won 8 Wimbledon titles in his career. That’s, in fact, the most by any male player in the men’s singles event. While Novak Djokovic stands second in the list with 7 titles, the other two of the ‘Big Four’ have two titles each in this iconic tournament.

Describing how tough it has been for all the players to outclass them over the year, Alexander Zverev stated, “It was always a very limited amount of guys who were actually able to compete and to win the tournaments. I really feel it’s different this year.”

The German will take on Spain’s Roberto Carballes Baena in the first round of Wimbledon. Is Zverev really considered one of the favorites for this year’s Championships?

Roger Federer’s former coach snubs Alexander Zverev while picking two frontrunners for this year’s title at Wimbledon

During a recent interview, Roger Federer’s former coach, Ivan Ljubicic, was asked to pick his favorites for this year at the Wimbledon Championships. Replying to the same, the Croatian replied, “Right now my favorites are Jannik and Carlos.” Elaborating on the exact reasons for his picks, Ljubicic said that world number 1 (Jannik Sinner) had recently won a title in Halle and that he was keen to continue his winning spree. While Carlos Alcaraz failed to retain his crown at the Queen’s Club Championships this year. Ivan Ljubicic feels the Spaniard would now be desperate to retain his Wimbledon crown.

Roger Federer and Alexander Zverev have often showcased their mutual respect for each other in the past. After Zverev’s third-round defeat at the 2018 Australian Open, Federer was even heard offering some words of encouragement for the German. Seeing him getting deprived of Grand Slam titles so many times, Federer once advised him, “You’re working hard. You’re doing the right things. It’s maybe not paying off at the Slam level, but just stay calm, don’t dig yourself in a hole.“

For Zverev, Roger Federer is a “role model”. He is someone whom he has looked up to while he grew up. Perhaps this is why, during Federer’s retirement, Alexander Zverev said, “We will lose not only the greatest tennis player of all time but also one of the greatest people of all time on and off the court.” Do you think the German has a real chance at the Wimbledon this year?