Since 2020, Alexander Zverev has established himself as one of the best players on the professional tennis scene. Although the 24-year-old German was the world number three in November 2017, it wasn’t until last year that he took his game and his fitness to the next level.
To date, the right-hander has appeared in two Grand Slam semi-finals and one final. But for all of his talent, he hasn’t got over the line as he chases his first Grand Slam. To combat this, Zverev is adopting a fitness-first approach, joining forces with Mark Bennett.
A Period of Change for the German
Those in the tennis world may not be familiar with Bennett, but he’s been involved in top-level rugby for over 30 years. The former flanker made three appearances for the Wales national team before retiring in 1999 and transitioning into strength and conditioning. His decision to go into fitness proved fruitful, with Wales winning two Grand Slams while he held a coaching role. However, the Welshman is now stepping away from rugby and heading to the court as he ventures into tennis.
Coach David Ferrer splits with Alexander Zverev.
“It has been a brutal experience, but right now I understand that I am not the right person to help him. I’m sure that when some time passes, I will train someone again, that’s for sure.” Ferrer said.https://t.co/3R30b81xav pic.twitter.com/y3o2uwjNMB
— We Are Tennis (@WeAreTennis) January 8, 2021
Bennett will become Zverev’s fitness coach after leaving his position as the Head of Performance for Russian Rugby. Although the 53-year-old doesn’t have a tennis background, he stated that the German player wanted him on board as he knows how to get athletes in peak condition. Bennett will remain with Russia for their next two matches, freeing him to coach Zverev after July 17, 2021. Moreover, this isn’t the only significant change that the 24-year-old has made this year. He also decided to part ways with his coach, David Ferrer, in January.
Looking to Get Over the Final Hurdle
There are no guarantees that Zverev’s backroom changes will be enough to see him upset tennis’ big three over the coming years, but his bravery is admirable. It’s no secret that fitness is of utmost importance in tennis, and small margins make a significant difference at the top level. With Bennett, the German hasn’t only adopted a world-class coach, but he’s also recruited an experienced figure who knows what it takes to win. For the 24-year-old, this will be integral to strengthening his body and mind, especially after losing a five-set battle with Stefanos Tsitsipas in the 2021 French Open semi-final.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xPCVKsWOxDM
Over the coming months, Zverev may feel that the 2021 US Open represents his best chance of winning a major competition. After suffering defeat in the 2020 final against Dominic Thiem, the German will be out for redemption this year. When the tournament comes around, the 24-year-old will have had time to work with Bennett, so he should be in peak condition to challenge. The German is +1200 in the tennis betting to win the US Open, although he’ll have to overcome fellow up-and-coming contenders, such as Daniil Medvedev.
Putting the Foundations in Place
As stated above, Zverev is a high-class player, and that’s evident from his recent Grand Slam performances. With Bennett in his corner, it’s now about fine-tuning his strength and conditioning, thus maximizing his chances of outlasting his opponents. On paper, changing his fitness coach appears beneficial. However, only the results will show whether or not he’s made the correct appointment.