GERMAN tennis champion Alexander Zverev will return to Perth in January to play at the Hopman Cup.
The 19-year-old has gone from strength to strength this year, starting the season ranked 83 and now sitting at 24.
Zverev will be joined at the Perth Arena by former world number nine Andrea Petkovic.
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READ NOWHe said he was looking forward to returning to Perth.
“It’s a great event. Having Hopman Cup as the first event of the year for many players is something very good,” he said.
“It is perfect preparation for the Australian Open. You play in similar conditions, you have a great stadium court, which is very nice and playing for your country in the first event of the year is something very special.”
The right-hander has beaten three top-10 opponents in the past six months, including Roger Federer.
Hopman Cup tournament director Paul Kilderry said he was delighted to have Zverev in Perth.
“Alexander Zverev is the hottest thing in tennis right now and Andrea Petkovic is one of the most popular players on the tour,” he said.
“Zverev, a rising star, has had an exceptional year climbing up the rankings and has beaten three top ten players including Federer, Tomas Berdych and Stan Wawrinka.”