Zverev and a revolutionary change in his forehand stroke

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Caressing glory is not the same as conquering it, and sometimes taking that definitive step requires making difficult structural changes to assume and execute. Alexander Zverev has had the necessary humility and maturity to realize that his standard version needed to be tweaked if he wants to achieve the dreams that have been eluding him in tennis. Let's analyze what he has done in 2024.

Don't change, evolve. That maxim should be fully internalized in the minds of tennis players, even the best ones. If there's one thing that characterizes the greats of history, it's their continuous progression and the lack of fear to step out of their comfort zone and make drastic changes in their game. Alexander Zverev settled in the elite with plenty of room for improvement in hissecond serve, forehand, and certain passive attitudes on the court when things got tense. He corrected the first years ago and has needed several reality checks to embark on his definitive revolution.

- Zverev is changing directions naturally with a more aggressive forehand than ever before

Losing two Grand Slam finals in a similar manner, by squandering advantages, losing aggressiveness in his game, and giving up ground in critical moments, is what made Sascha realize that the moment of truth had arrived. He has tirelessly worked on his forehand, pushing himself to be much more aggressive, stepping into the court after hitting the ball, changing directions, and taking risks.

His movement is smoother than ever, striking the ball far forward, with a shorter and faster swing, without losing bite in his shots. Proof of this is the quality measure of the shots used by the ATP with its databases, making the German's drive the most lethal shot of the week in Turin.

"Zverev has a better backhand than forehand, but in this match, both shots had the same quality." This is what Alcaraz said in a press conference after falling to the German in the ATP Finals 2024. The indoor court has given Sascha the compelling argument to be a much more proactive tactician, seeking to be the one taking the initiative at all times and approaching the net fearlessly, something unusual for him in years past. 

This new version of Alexander Zverev is what can grant him definitive growth in his career and increase his chances of becoming a Grand Slam champion and the world number 1. He has been vying for it for years, but such an evident intent to amend his playing style had never been appreciated. Stories of overcoming require these types of daily exertion exercises, humility, and willpower. The German's forehand and his assertiveness on the court can be the thermometer measuring his short-term aspirations.

This news is an automatic translation. You can read the original news, Zverev y un revolucionario cambio en su golpe de derecha