Australian Open 2020: Alexander Zverev plays down chances of Nick Kyrgios winning on home soil

In a stinging critique on the eve of the Australian Open, Alex Zverev shot down Nick Kyrgios’ hopes in Melbourne, saying ‘there are a lot of young guys that are right now just better than him.’

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World No.7 Alexander Zverev has poured cold water on Nick Kyrgios’ Australian Open hopes, declaring many of the younger generation are “just better than him.”

In a stinging critique on the eve of the year’s first grand slam, the German said he believed Kyrgios would struggle in the heat of five-set battles.

Kyrgios, 24, will head into the tournament as the Australian No.1 following the injury withdrawal of Alex de Minaur this week.

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Alexander Zverev doesn’t like Nick Kyrgios’ hopes in melbourne.

“I think there are a lot of young guys that are right now, no offence, just better than him,” he said.

“Over five sets you need to be consistent.

“It’s not a three-set match where you can win in an hour and twenty and get off the court.

“To beat the best out there (in grand slams) you need to play at your best for a longer period of time.”

Zverev said he was surprised de Minaur did not receive as much as attention as Kyrgios.

“I think Alex de Minaur right now is simply more consistent right now as well,” he said.

“I don’t know why a lot of people don’t talk about him because he’s been playing unbelievable at the ATP Cup.

“He beat me for the first time in his life, he beat (Denis) Shapovalov and had a great game with Rafa (Nadal), so he’s been playing some ball as well.”

The 11-time ATP champion tipped plenty of upsets at Melbourne Park over the next fortnight.

“I think a lot of young guys have a chance this year, maybe more than the last few years,” he said.

“I think there will be some upsets during the week, and some young guys will maybe lose earlier than we think they will.

Nick Kyrgios has to ‘prove it consistently over five sets’.

“And also some young guys will go better than we thought they would.”

Zverev heads into the Australian Open low on confidence after suffering three successive losses at the recent ATP Cup.

At the time he said he was short of practice, which was an area he had tried to rectify over the past week

“I’ve been working hard trying to get my game right,” he said.

“I’ve probably spent more hours on the court than anyone else this week.

“I’m just trying to feel comfortable on the court.”

Originally published as Australian Open 2020: Alexander Zverev plays down chances of Nick Kyrgios winning on home soil