This month, our Craig Karseno checked in with ATP Pro Mischa Zverev. Mischa teamed up with Alex Kuznetsov to win the 2013 RBC Tennis Championships of Dallas Doubles title. He is also coming off a great conclusion to the 2016 season, ending the year with a singles ranking of No.51 after reaching the quarterfinals of the Shanghai Rolex Masters and knocking off Stan Wawrinka on his way to the semifinals of the Swiss Indoors Basel.
Q – First off, congratulations on such a great end to your 2016 season. Deep down, coming back from surgeries and injuries this offseason must feel good.
A – Thank you, it does feel good to be back in the top 100 after 5 years, when I had injuries and surgeries and periods where I didn’t feel like playing at times. But honestly there is not much time to relax and enjoy because I already have to start training and focusing on next year.
Q- Speaking of injuries, I know you had wrist surgery in 2014. In your wildest dreams, did you think you could get back in the top 100 so quickly?
A – Right after surgery when I had my cast, it was a scary feeling because I didn’t know if I was going to be able to play at a 100% again. The day I took off my cast and saw my skinny wrist with lack of mobility it definitely seemed like a very long and tough path that laid ahead of me. It was really my brother, family and close friends who made me still believe and work hard. In the beginning I’d always jokingly say that I just want to be back at a level where I can be the best possible hitting partner for my brother and he would always respond that I would make it back to playing myself and being top 100 again. His positive attitude on court every time we practiced definitely made it possible.
Q- Starting the year inside the top 70(currently 51), do you have any points to defend at the start of the 2017 year?
A – I have some points to defend in the first 4 months of the year, but my main results obviously came in the last couple months.
Q – In 2009 you had your career high ranking of 45. That has to be a realistic goal for 2017, correct?
A – It would definitely be a dream come true to improve my career high ranking from 2009, and I’ll try to do anything to reach that goal.
Q – I know you’ve been a big influence on your brother, who is currently ranked inside the Top 25. When you were injured and unable to play, how much did you enjoy traveling with Alexander and watching his game grow?
A – Being able to spend time with my brother and watch him improve his game and play on tour was something that really had a positive influence on me. I was able to be part of his progress and experience a lot of great emotions from the side of the court. All that kept me close to the game and made me really want to come back and play on tour again and play some doubles with him. Traveling all together is so much more fun too.
Q – Who are your closest friends on tour other than of course your brother?
A – Our whole team is very close, and we consider each other team mates and friends. Especially Jez Green, who helped me a lot in the past years, going through tough times. And a lot of other guys that I grew up with playing I’d consider friends like Alex Kuznetsov, all the guys that train at Saddlebrook [Resort in Tampa, Flo.].
Q – Last question and most important. Is this the Cowboys’ year and when Tony Romo comes back healthy, should they replace Dak Prescott?
A – To be honest I haven’t been following that much football so far, especially because I was traveling a lot. But from what I’ve heard, I think Dak has been doing a decent job. You should ask me again in a few weeks about Cowboys.
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