Blick: Mischa Zverev, unfortunately the Wimbledon tournament will take place without your injured brother Alexander. How are you currently experiencing it?
Mischa Zverev: Actually quite good. We made a little Instagram video a few days ago. He can already laugh about the injury itself. That’s a good sign. He trains twice a day, does what he can and is allowed to do. He is diligent and positive. I think he’s in a very good place mentally.
You saw it live on TV and had to comment afterwards. Did you process it too?
Yes (laughs). There are worse things, I would say. Sure, it was sad and bitter. But it’s part of a career. I’ve been injured before too. At some point it will happen to almost everyone. It was an accident and I hope it doesn’t become a chronic thing and he keeps hurting himself. I hope he comes back from that and plays well again.
With Roger Federer, probably the biggest name in relation to Wimbledon is missing – for the first time in 24 years.
I’m a big Roger fan. I think it’s a shame and I hope he comes back soon somehow – in any way, no matter how. Tennis misses him. When Roger is there, walking around the Wimbledon facility or training, the spectators watch anyway, but so do tennis players. It’s a bit like Nadal on clay – a different way of playing tennis.
Serena Williams is a big name for that, returning at Wimbledon. How significant is her return to the sport?
It is extremely important, especially for women’s tennis. The WTA Tour is currently undergoing a change. There are no longer the superpowers of the past with Kim Clijsters, Justine Henin, Jennifer Capriati or Amelie Mauresmo. That’s a bit missing. They’re great tennis players, but it takes a superstar. And Serena is one of those. It is good for the sport and ensures that the media are even more present.
Mischa Zverev personally
Mikhail “Mischa” Alexandrovich Zverev was born on August 22, 1987 in Moscow. When he was four years old, the family moved to Hamburg, where his brother Alexander was born. He started playing tennis at Uhlenhorster HC and became a successful youth player – meanwhile he was listed as world number three. To date, he has collected one singles and four doubles titles on the professional tour. At the same time he supports his brother on his way to the top of the world, stands by his side as a trainer and brother. He has been working as a tennis expert at Eurosport and Sky since 2022. Zverev lives in Monte Carlo, is married and has a son.
Mikhail “Mischa” Alexandrovich Zverev was born on August 22, 1987 in Moscow. When he was four years old, the family moved to Hamburg, where his brother Alexander was born. He started playing tennis at Uhlenhorster HC and became a successful youth player – meanwhile he was listed as world number three. To date, he has collected one singles and four doubles titles on the professional tour. At the same time he supports his brother on his way to the top of the world, stands by his side as a trainer and brother. He has been working as a tennis expert at Eurosport and Sky since 2022. Zverev lives in Monte Carlo, is married and has a son.
What defines such superstars?
In tennis, like in any other sport, you need stories. Serena brings a huge history to the pitch. When Serena comes onto the facility, people turn their heads. Players, viewers look at Serena. What is she wearing? What is she doing? Where is she going? Who is she talking to? How does she train? Not many can draw that kind of attention.
Iga Swiatek playfully shows the necessary approaches. Could it be as big one day?
She’s very strong in the head. But I don’t think she has the aura of Steffi Graf, Monica Seles or Serena Williams. She is still very, very young and can develop into it.
Besides Swiatek, who do you see as favorites at Wimbledon?
Swiatek’s head is very stable at the moment, but I don’t see it as a lawn specialist. Even Karolina Pliskova, who plays well, is more dangerous. Anett Kontaveit can also be dangerous. I think there will be a new Grand Slam champion at Wimbledon. That’s my gut feeling at the moment.
And how do you see it with men?
I have to look at the leaderboard for the first time in a long time to really know what’s going on. But I would declare Djokovic the favorite, followed by Matteo Berrettini.
Carlos Alcaraz failed in Paris because of your brother. How do you rate his chances?
He’s a lucky bag to me. Anything can happen there. Playing Wimbledon is not the same as lawn tennis. The places are all slightly different. You have to know how to play on the pitch. Sometimes this takes a few years, but for some it happens very quickly.
What are the peculiarities of Wimbledon?
The lawn is very dense, like a carpet. Some courts south of Center Court are very soft and the ball bounces relatively slowly. The courts between Court 1 and Center Court are much faster. You have to play, serve and move differently on the different courts. Federer lost in the first round a year before his 2003 win. After that he comes back and wins. Sampras also didn’t play that well on his first attempts and then won. You have to understand how to play it.
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