Alexander Zverev ‘more motivated than ever’ to win a major, saying US Open defeat made him ‘hungrier’

Shahida Jacobs
March 25, 2021

He snatched defeat from the jaws of victory at the US Open last year, but instead of feeling demoralised by the result, Alexander Zverev says the loss is inspiring him to “improve every single aspect” of his game.

The German was two points away from breaking his Grand Slam duck in the Flushing Meadows final against Dominic Thiem, but the Austrian produced a miraculous comeback to win 2-6, 4-6, 6-4, 3-6, 7-6 (8-6).

“That loss made me in a way even hungrier,” Zverev said. “I was two points away from winning my first Grand Slam title at the US Open, but I didn’t at the end of the day. You have to look at those things as well.

“In a way, this year I feel like I’m more motivated than ever to do well. I’m trying to improve every single aspect of the game to give myself the best chance that I can have.

“I feel like I’m building towards that.”

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Zverev followed up his 2020 US Open heartbreak with a fourth-round exit at the rescheduled French Open while he lost in the quarter-final of this year’s Australian Open.

Although he is eyeing a Career Grand Slam in the long-term, for now the world No 7’s focus is on the Miami Open where he is seeded third.

“I would like to win them all,” Zverev, who will face Emil Ruusuvuori in the second round, said.

“I’m looking forward to the next weeks. I’m not trying to think of the Grand Slams right now because the Grand Slams are… still a little bit far away,” he said.

“We have four Masters 1000s events before that. I have other big events before that, as well. I’m trying to focus on that, trying to compete in those events, trying to do the (best) job that I can.”

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Alexander Zverev