Would you let this man train your son/daughter?

Alexander Zverev is one of the world’s most renowned professional tennis players. At his highest, he was ranked number 3 by ATP with a cumulative prize money of over $20 million. Though he may be so accomplished, he is notable for his furious racquet smashes on the court. It is natural for tennis players to take their frustration out with violence to the racquet. However, Zverev does so almost too often. Possibly with the most racquet smashes in 2018 and 2019, he takes his anger out on the court. His responses to frustration and failure on the court taint his image, causing viewers to question his ethics on and off the court. With a memorable racquet smash in the 2020 ATP Cup already this year, his racquet-smashing count has begun. Of course, this says nothing of his skill. His ranking and accomplishments show that he is still a phenomenal tennis player. He also participates in the Laver Cup for Team Europe, making him a player among the best. His reputation alone will give him the benefit of the doubt when questioning his ethics. It is his sportsmanship that puts him at a disadvantage. 

Many developing tennis players look up to the professionals to improve. It is easy for us to catch habits or techniques of others that are also looked up to, and Alexander Zverev is certainly one of those role models. Little kids and those that are still developing could possibly catch his racquet anger on the court which is certainly unappealing to a parent. 

Would you let your child train with this notable tennis player? Would you fear your player catching his habits in order to train with one of the world’s best players? Considering all of these factors makes the issue of training a difficult one to make. 

“Alexander Zverev: Overview: ATP Tour: Tennis.” ATP Tour, http://www.atptour.com/en/players/alexander-zverev/z355/overview.

Associated Press. “Australian Open 2019: Racquet-Smashing Alexander Zverev Crashes out in Fourth Round.” India Today, 21 Jan. 2019, http://www.indiatoday.in/sports/tennis/story/australian-open-2019-alexander-zverev-loss-milos-raonic-racquet-smashing-1435442-2019-01-21.

Morgan, Sam. “Zverev Smashes Racket in on-Court Rage after Seven Double Faults.” The US Sun, The Sun, 8 Jan. 2020, http://www.the-sun.com/sport/tennis/211397/tennis-hothead-alexander-zverev-smashes-racket-in-on-court-rage-after-seven-double-faults-cost-him-during-atp-cup/.

“Team Europe 2019.” Laver Cup, lavercup.com/team-europe.