ATP Finals: Zverev hails win as 'astonishing', Djoker predicts stunning future for the youngster

Considering where Novak Djokovic began his year he was able to quickly put his defeat by fast-rising German Alexander Zverev in the ATP Finals title match into perspective on Sunday.

The 31-year-old Serb was odds on to crown a magnificent six-month streak by claiming a record-equalling sixth ATP Finals crown but Zverev stopped him in his tracks, winning 6-4 6-3.Djokovic will still end a year ranked as number one for the fifth time, an improbable achievement considering he had elbow surgery in February, suffered a woeful run of form on his return and slumped to 22 in the world rankings in June.

After reuniting with his former mentor Marian Vajda, he has been a man reborn and began a storming comeback to the summit of men's tennis, winning Wimbledon and the U.S. Open to take his Grand Slam collection to 14.
Going into Sunday's final against Zverev he had won 35 of his previous 37 matches and, despite an off-night, still looks capable of dominating men's tennis next year."If someone told me (I would end the year as number one) at that time it was looking quite improbable," he told reporters.

"Not just ranking-wise, I wasn't playing even close to where I wanted to be at in terms of level of tennis."No one likes to lose, and I've just come off court but you put things in a larger perspective, see things a bit differently. All the positive things that I have to reflect on and also take from this season, especially the last six months."

Djokovic was uncharacteristically ragged against Zverev, but took nothing away from his opponent, even though he said he had not been feeling fully-charged for a few weeks."I'm happy that he won the big title because we have a really good and friendly relationship," Djokovic said of his fellow Monte Carlo resident. "We train a lot. We see each other a lot. He comes from a really nice family. "Health-wise I haven't been really perfect in the last three, four weeks. That took a lot out of me. But overall it was a phenomenal season that I have to be definitely very proud of."

Zverev on cloud nine: 

 Germany's Alexander Zverev described his ATP Finals title as "astonishing" on Sunday after beating Roger Federer and Novak Djokovic in consecutive days without losing a set.

Not only did he become the youngest winner of the title since Djokovic 10 years ago, and the first German to triumph since Boris Becker in 1995, Zverev also became only the fourth player to beat Federer and Djokovic back-to-back in the semi-final and final of the same tournament.Rafael Nadal has managed it three times, Andy Murray once and David Nalbandian is the other.

"Obviously it's quite astonishing, winning this title, beating two such players back-to-back, Roger and Novak, in semi-finals and finals. (It) Means so much," Zverev told reporters."I'm incredibly happy and incredibly proud right now."Djokovic had schooled Zverev 6-4 6-1 on Wednesday in the round-robin stage, but following his victory over Federer, after which he was booed by fans over a controversial point in the second-set tiebreak, the German was a different proposition.

Zverev said the loss to Djokovic had prompted a different approach, following a discussion with coach Ivan Lendl -- the eight-times Grand Slam champion who helped Britain's Murray to multiple major titles."He obviously analysed the match that I played with him a few days ago, told me a few things I had to do different. I was more aggressive today," Zverev, who will end the year ranked fourth in the ATP rankings, said.
After this statement victory, Zverev's next task will be to go past the quarter-final of a Grand Slam for the first time.

Told that Djokovic had predicted he could surpass his own achievements, including 14 Grand Slam titles, Zverev was quick to urge some perspective. "Oh, Jesus. Oh, my God!" Zverev said. "I mean, I've won one of these. He's won five. He's won, I don't know what, 148 titles more than me. Let's not go there for now."After a couple of years finding his feet and learning to deal with huge expectation levels, however, Zverev's Tour-leading 58 match wins this year is proof of a more mature attitude, and a greater level of consistency.

"I will do everything I can to get better, to compete with them always. I feel like I'm doing that," Zverev said.
With Russian Karen Khachanov, who beat Djokovic to win the Paris Masters, and Greek Stefanos Tsitsipas also making huge strides, including a win over Djokovic, Zverev believes the new generation are starting to make inroads.

"Obviously us young guys, we're coming through," he said. "We've still got multiple years for all of us ahead. A lot of things can happen. A lot of things can change. "I'll do everything I can to be on top. But the other guys are playing great tennis, as well."