Alexander Zverev Eyeing Big Season After Breakout 2021

Alexander Zverev had the best season of his career in 2021 and the world number three said Friday he plans to do even better in the coming year, starting at the ATP Cup.

Alexander Zverev had the best season of his career in 2021 and the world number three said Friday he plans to do even better in the coming year, starting at the ATP Cup. The German ace captured his second ATP Finals title in November, producing a brilliant performance to defeat world number two Daniil Medvedev, adding to the Olympic gold medal he won in Tokyo. That trophy in Turin was his sixth of the year and he is keen to carry the momentum forward, starting with a tough opening clash of 2022 on Sunday against Britain's 12th ranked Cameron Norrie at the ATP Cup in Sydney.

"It is a great challenge. I will know exactly where I am at after the first few matches," he said ahead of the 16-team event, which starts on Saturday.

Zverev also won the ATP Finals title in 2018, only to have a poor 2019.

But he said he had grown as a player and person since then and expects it to be a springboard for an even better season this time around.

"I was a lot younger. I was 21 years old going into the 2019 season. It was my first very big title at the Nitto ATP Finals in 2018," said Zverev.