Alexander Zverev has welcomed the backing of Novak Djokovic to become the next Australian Open champion, saying the 10-time champion helped him out of a mental hole last year.
The German world No.2 booked his first Melbourne Park final after the shock withdrawal of an injured Djokovic after he lost the first set 7-6 (7-5) of their semi-final on Friday.
The crowd at Rod Laver Arena erupted in boos after hopes of a five-set thriller were dashed, with Zverev defending his rival in an on court interview and calling for respect for all he had achieved at the Open.
He said he had the ultimate regard for the Serbian superstar, whose grand slam days could be numbered as he approaches 38.
“There’s no guy on the tour that I respect more than Novak. He’s been one of my closest friends on tour,” said Zverev.
“When I struggled I could always text him, I could always ask him for advice. I was speaking to him for hours in Shanghai when I struggled after the US Open defeat in the quarterfinals (last year).
“I wanted this to be a tough match. He has won this tournament 10 times. Again, I have nothing but respect for him.”
The 27-year-old later elaborated that he had struggled to move past his French Open final loss to Carlos Alcaraz after he held a two-sets-to-one lead and was rocked by a controversial over-rule by the umpire in the fifth set.
“I was disappointed after the French Open, how my year was going, I was not winning tournaments anymore,” said Zverev, who is yet to win a grand slam.
“The US Open was extremely disappointing to me because I thought I had a big chance to go very far there to make it to the finals and I performed very, very bad in my opinion.
“I was just asking him how it was for him when he was having difficult moments, and how he was coming back.
“He was always very open to me and we had very long chats … talking to me about his situations and about his experiences with difficult times.”
A disappointed Djokovic, who is still hunting a historic 25th grand slam title, said he hoped Zverev could finally achieve his huge potential and become a major champion in his third final.
Zverev was also runner-up to Dominic Thiem at the 2020 US Open after relinquishing a two-set lead.
“I wish Sascha (Zverev) all the best,” said Djokovic.
“You know, he deserves his first slam. I’ll be cheering for him. Hopefully he can get it here.”
Zverev, who will face either Italian world No.1 and defending champion Jannik Sinner or American Ben Shelton, said he was grateful for the support of Djokovic, and other players.
“Yeah, it means a lot to me, especially from Novak, who I admire and respect so much,” he said.
“I’m looking forward to Sunday – I do feel like I have done the work, and I do feel like I’m ready for it so we’ll see how it goes.
“I’m very thankful to Novak for wishing me that.”
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