Zverev completed 2017 in advantageous type as he gained the Citi Open and Rogers Cup in consecutive weeks, previous to the US Open.
To win the Rogers Cup, the German recorded a straight units victory towards the Swiss star.
Zverev begins the defence of his Washington crown early Wednesday morning (round 1.30am UK time) towards Malek Jaziri.
The teen is the No 1 seed on the Citi Open and the second seed in Toronto following Federer’s withdrawal.
But reflecting on the final yr, and along with his climb to No three on the earth rankings, Zverev thinks he’s a stronger participant than throughout his memorable victory towards Federer.
“I think I’m a better player than last year,” Zverev stated.
“I believe I’m higher ready, I believe I’m higher bodily. Also, I believe that in tennis, there are issues that I’ve improved.
“I believe you may all the time enhance. There are all the time areas the place you may enhance till the tip of your profession.
“But the competitors doesn’t sleep. Everyone is looking for methods. They try to enhance too. It has been an thrilling yr up to now, and I hope it will likely be within the second half of the yr as properly.”
But why does Zverev really feel he has come a good distance in such a brief house of time?
“Everyone has a certain style of play. I think it has to be more stable and you have to be known for something,” Zverev added.
“Everyone has their very own issues, everybody has their very own weapons, everybody has their very own weaknesses.
“I think it’s more about improving your weapons and improving your weaknesses too, so that people do not have an easy route to defeat you.”