… and who does the German think wouldn’t leave the bench?The Sunshine Doubles is tennis’ own version of March Madness—and when it comes to basketball, Alexander Zverev knows who he wants on the court.In another life, the German may have been the latest in a long line of successful basketball players from his country rather than tennis. Speaking on the Tennis Channel desk at Hard Rock Stadium, Zverev said he played a lot while growing up in Florida as a student at the Saddlebrook Tennis Academy, honing his jump shot just as much as his groundstrokes.A big fan of the Miami Heat (and a close friend of Jimmy Butler, who was famously traded to the Golden State Warriors in February), Zverev didn’t hestiate when asked by Prakash Amritraj to name the best ballers on tour.”Best on tour is Nick Kyrgios,” Zverev declared. And the rest of his starting five?”I’ll put Chris Eubanks, I think he plays good basketball. I’ll put Thanasi Kokkinakis, I’ll put Reilly Opelka for size, and myself, if I can say that.”A post shared by ATP Tour (@atptour)Read more: Serena Williams joins ownership group of Toronto Tempo WNBA teamBut Zverev’s eye for basketball talent doesn’t just extend to ranking the best big man or point guard amongst his peers. He also didn’t hesitate when naming the worst hooper on tour.”I’m not putting Frances Tiafoe. Have you seen his shot?” Zverev said.While praising the Washington Wizards devotee as “one of the most talented, gifted tennis players I’ve ever seen in my entire life,” the two-time Grand Slam finalist says that the American’s athleticism does not extend to other sports.”I do not understand how a person can be so talented on the tennis court … but he’s so untalented at everything else he does. It’s phenomenal,” Zverev said.A post shared by Alexander Zverev (@alexzverev123)”He can’t throw a football, he can’t shoot a basketball. We tried to shoot some soccer balls in Rome during a rain delay. He did once and fell to his back and hit his head against the floor. It’s amazing. He’s the most talented player on the tennis court, so untalented in everything else he does.”I still love him though, no offense! But it’s unbelievable.”But Tiafoe won’t get a chance to respond to Zverev in Miami, on court or otherwise, after the American was bounced by Arthur Fils in Monday’s third round. Zverev, into the Round of 16 in Miami for the fifth time, faces Fils for a spot in the quarterfinals.
