Berlin [Germany], March 5: Alexander Zverev hopes that a new-found relaxed approach will help him do better at the Sunshina Double in the United States than in the past.
The action starts this week in Indian Wells where world number four Zverev has never gone beyond the quarter-finals and went out in the second round last year.
He then did a little better in Miami, where he was a finalist in 2018, by reaching the last 16.
This year he arrives coming off a surprise doubles title in Acapulco with Brazilian partner Marcelo Melo and amid a rare visit from his young daughter Mayla.
Mayla has gone home by now but Zverev showed a different side of his personality and has said in general terms that "I just want to enjoy tennis more this year" and that it is about "having fun" in his career.
Zverev came to California and then Florida last year after a run into the Australian Open final but then poor results in South and Central America. and it continued all downhill with a first round Wimbledon defeat, mental problems and injuries.
This year, he had Carlos Alcaraz on the brink of defeat in the Australian Open semi-finals and the doubles title in Mexico was welcomed as "something very special" after a last-16 exit in singles.
Still in search of his maiden grand slam title, Zverev has won seven Masters titles in his career. But his Indian Wells task will not be easy as after a first-round bye he faces either Italian Matteo Berrettini or Frenchman Adrian Mannarino.
With few points to defend, Zverev has the chance to reclaim third place in the world rankings from Novak Djokovic in Indian Wells and Miami.
Source: Qatar Tribune