Alexander Zverev’s rivals are looking at him differently after hearing his suggestions.
One of Alexander Zverev’s rivals believes he has “some demons” after asking the German for his advice during the Laver Cup weekend.
This year’s edition was staged in Berlin, and Team World’s Thanasi Kokkinakis went to the world No. 2 for his nightclub recommendations.
But Kokkinakis didn’t even want to repeat the place Zverev mentioned, let alone go there.
Zverev helped Team Europe win their fifth Laver Cup trophy on Sunday. After trailing Frances Tiafoe by a set and a break, he stormed back to beat his Team World rival.
It meant the title went down to a winner-take-all match between Carlos Alcaraz and Taylor Fritz, with Alcaraz sealing victory on his debut at the team event. While Team World had nothing to celebrate, they still planned a big night in Berlin together.
Kokkinakis had already made plans to find a good spot. Earlier in the week, he asked Zverev for advice on the best clubs. But he quickly ruled out the idea of going there once looking it up.
“After looking it up on Google, I hope not,” the Australian said after Team World’s defeat. “That place was something else. I don’t know.
“I think Sascha has some demons he’s got to address. That was crazy. I’m not repeating the place he told us to go. If I see him there, I will know big fella’s in some strife and might have a few weeks off.”
When Team Europe met the media, Zverev was informed that his suggestion left the rival squad too scared to go, the 27-year-old replied: “I never went out clubbing in Berlin or out partying in Berlin.
“Tonight maybe will the first time we’re going to go somewhere, but I think we have a few things organised, which I’m not going to tell the press so there is photographers and you guys there to write how messed up we are at 2am.”
While Zverev kept his cards close to his chest, there was one thing he was hoping to see during Team Europe’s celebrations. Ahead of the tournament, the world No. 2 told Grigor Dimitrov that he would have to “get naked” if they lifted the trophy after watching the Bulgarian’s striptease during a recent exhibition match.
When the team was reminded of their bet, Dimitrov said: “I was just naked in the locker room. Did I say that, guys, really? Tell me exactly what I said.”
The world No. 10 was informed that he’d compromised and claimed he would take his top off. And Zverev wanted him to stick to his promise. “So take your shirt off,” he added.
