Becker warns Zverev that his time is running out with new stars emerging

| by Sebastian Dahlman

Alexander Zverev is part of the initial 'next gen' but a new 'next gen' is slowly emerging and threatening to replace the older one.

Players like Holger Rune and Carlos Alcaraz have already arrived but there are plenty of youngsters coming up as the recent Australian Open showcased the likes of Ben Shelton and Jiri Lehecka. Zverev is 25 years old at the moment and coming off a major injury which makes it will take some time for him to get back where he was.

"Sascha [Alexander Zverev] has been injured for seven months now, so it will take another seven before he's where he was 14 months ago. That's an eternity in sport and the locker room doesn't sleep."

Becker on Zverev's comeback
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According to Boris Becker, the pressure is rising every year as a new generation of players is on the rise. Becker wants to see Zverev step up now and deliver because he could quickly find himself looking back at the chances he missed out on.

"Carlos Alcaraz hardly had a match until 14 months ago won, then he became number one in the world. Youngsters are coming and a 25 or 26-year-old now has to deliver because all too often you don't get the chance anymore."

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Zverev's primary goal is to get back to being as good as he was and Becker believes there is a good chance he'll be able to do so because he has the right mentality for it.

"It's going to be a long way back. I think it's possible because he has the right attitude. However, it will be more difficult than two or three years ago. Sascha needs patience, has to play tournaments."

Becker on Zverev's comeback

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