Following his impressive performance in the fourth round of Wimbledon, German tennis star Alexander Zverev extended an intriguing offer to Manchester City coach Pep Guardiola.
Guardiola, a six-time Premier League champion and former Bayern Munich manager, had been in attendance at the match.
Zverev, a fervent supporter of Bayern Munich and a soccer enthusiast, humorously suggested that Guardiola could trade the football pitch for a tennis court and coach him instead.
The exchange added a lighthearted moment to Wimbledon’s prestigious setting, where Zverev’s talent shone amidst a gathering of sports luminaries in the Royal Box.
Zverev, captivated Centre Court at Wimbledon, where he secured victory over Cameron Norrie, cheered on by a Royal Box filled with sports legends.
Among them was Pep Guardiola, the esteemed Manchester City coach and former Bayern Munich manager. Zverev, visibly moved by Guardiola’s presence, admitted to feeling nervous initially but delivered a dazzling performance.
“It’s an honor for all tennis players to compete on this beautiful Centre Court before such esteemed sporting legends,” Zverev expressed gratefully. “Seeing Pep Guardiola in the Royal Box made me nervous for a few games. Thank you for coming; it’s a privilege to play here.”
In a light-hearted moment after the match, Zverev, a passionate Bayern Munich supporter, humorously suggested to Guardiola, “Last thing – Bayern Munich needs a coach. If you ever get tired of football, you can coach me on a tennis court anytime.”
Guardiola, who led Manchester City to their fourth consecutive Premier League title last season, engaged with Zverev after the match, inquiring about the knee injury Zverev sustained during the second set against Norrie. Despite the setback, Zverev remains optimistic about progressing to his first Wimbledon quarterfinal.
The Middle Saturday at Wimbledon traditionally draws sports stars from various disciplines to the Royal Box. Alongside Guardiola were luminaries like Sachin Tendulkar, Chris Hoy, and Jessica Ennis-Hill, adding to the event’s prestigious atmosphere.
Recently, Bayern Munich appointed Vincent Kompany, Guardiola’s former captain at Manchester City, as their new coach following their 11-year dominance in the Bundesliga being ended by Bayer Leverkusen.
