Alexander Zverev spoke about the possibility of being the German Olympic flag-bearer and what it would mean to him.
Zverev has always taken great pride in representing Germany despite being born to Russian parents Irina Zvereva and Alexander Mikhailovich Zverev. However, he grew up in Germany and represents the country as well.
One of the proudest moments of his career happened three years ago in Tokyo when he reached the Olympic Games final and won the gold medal for his country.
It's the pinnacle for any athlete, and while tennis does have its own achievement hierarchy, it's still a very important tournament for most of the players. Otherwise, Novak Djokovic wouldn't mention not winning the gold medal so often.
Zverev bested Djokovic in Tokyo, ending his dream there, but there is something else he would greatly value, and that's to carry the German flag. In fact, it would mean so much to him that, as he explained at the 2024 Hamburg Open, as per SpilXperten, that it would trump the gold medal, which is a remarkable display of patriotism from Zverev.
"If someone told me that I should walk in as a flag bearer, it would mean even more to me, to be honest (than winning the Olympics). But if I am in the tournament, then I aim to win it, that is always my mindset."
"A medal at the Olympics is always special, no matter which one it is. If it's gold, of course, it's something special, and that will also be my goal."
Another aspect of being a flag-bearer, as disclosed to the 27-year-old player, would be the date of his first match. If he ends up being the flag-bearer, he will not play on Saturday when tennis at the Olympics begins but on Sunday.
The start day ultimately doesn't matter too much to Zverev, but he would be thrilled to be the flag-bearer for his country.
"If I am the flag bearer and play on Saturday, I will not play on Saturday, but on Sunday. This has been agreed with ITF. If I am not the flag bearer, I might play on Saturday."
"So it depends on the schedule whether I will be there or not. Therefore, I don't understand the rule so well, because it was clearly said to me that if I am in a match on Saturday, I will not be nominated as flag bearer. Let's see."
Speaking in his hometown, he once again explained why being the flag-bearer is a huge honor for any athlete and why he would be delighted to do so. He also mentioned the gold medal he won at the last Olympics, calling it the greatest achievement of his career.
"In the end, it is a great honor for me because the Olympics is the biggest sporting event we have in the world, along with the World Cup in football. Leading an entire nation and so many top German athletes into the Olympics is simply the greatest honor an athlete can receive."
"And of course, the gold medal I won at the last Olympics is one of the highest achievements you can have in sports and for me personally the greatest success in my career."
"If I could carry the flag, it would add even more to it. I would be very happy if the athletes and the German people see me as their flag bearer and captain to lead them into the Olympics."
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