Kohlschreiber predicts great future for German teen sensation Zverev

Dubai - The 18-year-old Zverev is of Russian descent and he is currently the youngest player in the top 100 of the ATP rankings.

Angelique Kerber's stunning Australian Open triumph may have raised expectations in German tennis, but Philipp Kohlschreiber believes his country will have to wait a bit more to get a Grand Slam winner in men's tennis.

But the good news for a country that has produced iconic names like Steffi Graf and Boris Becker is that the 32-year-old Kohlschreiber, their current top player in ATP rankings, has identified the youngster who could be the flag-bearer for German tennis in a few years' time.

"Well, on women's side we are always very strong, especially now with Kerber achieving the biggest goal in tennis. It was wonderful," said Kohlschreiber while talking to us after the men's draw for the Dubai Tennis Championships on Saturday.

"Of course, we still suffer a little bit in men's tennis. There's less talent in the men's game.

"But looking ahead to the future I think we now have one very strong young guy coming up.

"And his name is Alexander Zverev (world number 56).

"So let's hope for the best for him and maybe we can write a different kind of history for German tennis."

The 18-year-old Zverev is of Russian descent and he is currently the youngest player in the top 100 of the ATP rankings.

"He is a very talented young guy. He loves the game and he is a great character. We practise quite a lot together. He is only 18 but he already has got some great shots.

"I think he has a very good future ahead of him. I hope he stays healthy with the same attitude on the court.

"Also he comes on the Tour at a great time. I mean we have to say that the top four guys will get older. I know they are still dominating, especially Novak (Djokovic), Roger (Federer), Andy (Murray) are still doing great things.

"Then you have Rafa who is such a great player on clay. If you face him on that surface, there are more chances that you will go out of that tournament.

"But now he is struggling a bit, maybe even on clay he is not the same player.

"So things will change. They are getting older. Even Novak, Roger and Andy will not be as strong in a few years' time.

"So by that time, the talented players who will reach the age of 24-25 will have a very good chance to win the Slams.

"The four super heroes will one day lose their powers and that will give these kids the chance to win the big things," said Kohlschreiber, a semifinalist in Dubai in 2014.

rituraj@khaleejtimes.com