Alexander Zverev finished as runners-up at the 2020 US Open and 2024 French Open, but he’s yet to win a Grand Slam.
Alexander Zverev and Boris Becker (via NBC Sports/BBC)
For the past two seasons, Alexander Zverev has always been among the top favorites to win each Grand Slam tournament, but in the end failed to do so. The German has taken his game to another level on the court but a major title remains the only significant silverware missing. Tennis legend Boris Becker has given him a limited timeframe to finally break the jinx.
Boris Becker and Andrea Petkovic recently conversed. The latter revealed that Zverev has a timeframe to win his first Grand Slam. He added that the German will find it more difficult if he doesn’t win it in the coming months.
Zverev has had his hands on a couple of major ATP titles in recent years. The 27-year-old won two ATP Masters 1000 titles in 2024, the only player that won more than him was Jannik Sinner, who claimed three. He has reached two Grand Slams finals, but in both he finished as runners-up.
The first came at the 2020 US Open, where he lost in five sets to Dominic Thiem. The other was at the 2024 French Open, losing to Carlos Alcaraz. Last season, he finished as World No.2 in the ATP rankings, proof that he is growing in his game. However, with his age, he doesn’t have much time as Alcaraz, 21, and Sinner, 23, have already lifted a Grand Slam.
Zverev was part of Germany’s team at the United Cup, but he suffered an injury and later withdrew. He will hope to be in good form and physically fit for the Australian Open, which starts on January 12.
Alexander Zverev is currently being coached by his father, Alexander Zverev, senior. But the German has had super coaches like Ivan Lendl, Juan Carlos Ferrero, and Sergio Bruguera. However, none of the coaches partnered for too long with the 27-year-old as they left for one reason or the other.
During the above conversation, Boris Becker said that Zverev finding a super coach would be the needed one percent that will take him over the line at the Grand Slam tournament.
Becker was one of the super coaches who helped shape Novak Djokovic‘s career in the early stages. With an abundance of experience at this stage, the six-time Grand Slam winner’s advice might have to be heeded by Zverev.
