Alexander Zverev is at a critical juncture in his tennis career. Over the past few years, the German star has shown flashes of brilliance, achieving impressive results and consistently ranking among the world’s top players.
Despite these accomplishments, he has yet to capture that elusive Grand Slam title, a goal that continues to evade him. Zverev’s potential is undeniable; with his powerful serve, precise backhand, and aggressive baseline play, he has the tools to win a Major. Yet, for reasons that remain unclear, he hasn’t managed to cross that finish line.
Many believed that the departure of Roger Federer from the competitive scene, coupled with Rafael Nadal’s injuries and Novak Djokovic’s gradual decline, would create an opportunity for Zverev to claim his place as a Grand Slam champion. But as tennis often does, the sport has evolved. New, younger talents like Carlos Alcaraz and Jannik Sinner have emerged, proving to be formidable opponents. Despite reaching two Grand Slam finals, at the 2020 US Open and the 2024 French Open, Zverev hasn’t been able to seize his opportunities. At the 2020 US Open, he lost a nail-biting final to Dominic Thiem, squandering several chances to win the match. In 2024 at Roland Garros, he led Alcaraz by two sets to one in the final, only to fade in the decisive fifth set.
Roger Federer’s Warning to Zverev
Following these near-misses, tennis legend Roger Federer, one of the greatest players in history, offered his perspective on Zverev’s struggles. Before the start of the 2024 Laver Cup, Federer, a 20-time Grand Slam champion, identified a key issue in Zverev’s game: his tendency to play defensively in crucial moments. According to Federer, this passive approach prevents Zverev from fully utilizing his strengths and ultimately limits his success in high-pressure situations.
Federer explained, “I see someone who plays too defensively in the most important moments of the matches. He has to remember that he doesn’t have to be too passive and I think then, honestly, something really great can happen to him. For example, against Fritz at the US Open, he was too passive. I think something great can happen to him. But he must believe in it and work on it. He must feel at every stage of his body that this is the right way.”
This criticism came in the aftermath of Zverev’s disappointing quarterfinal loss to Taylor Fritz at the 2024 US Open. With Novak Djokovic and Carlos Alcaraz both eliminated in the early rounds, Zverev became one of the top favorites to win the tournament, alongside Sinner. However, when it mattered most, Zverev faltered. His performance against Fritz was marred by unforced errors and tentative play, leaving fans and pundits questioning whether he had the mental fortitude to win a Grand Slam.
Consistency Without Breakthroughs
Despite his Grand Slam struggles, Zverev has been a model of consistency in 2024. He has performed well throughout the season, highlighted by his victory at the Masters 1000 tournament in Rome. However, the same pattern persists — he shines in regular ATP tournaments but falters on the biggest stages. The pressure of Grand Slam tournaments seems to bring out his worst tendencies, particularly his inclination to become overly cautious and defensive.
This issue was particularly evident at the 2024 US Open, where Zverev had a golden opportunity to make a deep run in the absence of his biggest rivals. But instead of rising to the occasion, he retreated into a more conservative style of play, which proved ineffective against Fritz. Zverev’s inability to maintain his aggressive approach during moments of tension continues to be a significant roadblock in his pursuit of a Major title.
Missed Opportunities and Criticism
In a candid interview with Eurosport, former WTA champion Justine Henin did not hold back in her criticism of Zverev’s performance at the US Open. Henin, known for her mental toughness and aggressive style during her career, was particularly disappointed by Zverev’s lack of assertiveness on the court. She pointed out that while Zverev has shown resilience after returning from a serious injury, his overly defensive play is holding him back.
“Zverev is a disappointment. There were expectations,” Henin remarked. “For me, it’s mainly the manner. I found him extremely defensive. At one point, you say to yourself that to win a Grand Slam, and he came close to doing it at Roland Garros and at the same time so far, he has to dare even more. Against Fritz in New York, I saw him fall back into his old ways. I think there are strong decisions to make to win a Grand Slam tournament, particularly on calendar issues. It was his 73rd match of the season!”
Henin went on to emphasize the importance of managing his schedule to peak at the right moments, something that Djokovic has mastered. Zverev’s workload has been substantial in 2024, but it’s possible that playing too many matches has left him fatigued during the most critical moments of the season.
Looking Ahead
Despite the criticisms, there is no denying Zverev’s talent. As of now, he remains the closest competitor to Jannik Sinner in the ATP rankings, although he trails by over 4,000 points. It’s unlikely that Zverev will overtake Sinner as world number one by the end of the year, but he still has opportunities to close the season on a high note. With the indoor hard court season approaching, Zverev will be looking to capitalize on his strengths and improve his standing.
One of his primary focuses will be the Nitto ATP Finals, a prestigious year-end tournament that Zverev has won twice before, in 2018 and 2021. Known for his strong performances on indoor hard courts, Zverev will aim to finish the year with a major title under his belt, even if it’s not a Grand Slam. Before that, Zverev will also represent Team Europe in the 2024 Laver Cup, an event that holds special significance for him as it takes place in his home country of Germany.
So
Alexander Zverev’s career is at a crossroads. While he has been consistently among the top players in the world, his inability to win a Grand Slam remains a glaring gap in his résumé. Both Roger Federer and Justine Henin have highlighted his tendency to become overly defensive in critical moments, a habit that has likely cost him multiple opportunities to win a Major. However, with the indoor season ahead and another shot at the ATP Finals, Zverev has the chance to turn things around. The question remains: can he take the next step and finally claim his place among the sport’s elite by winning a Grand Slam? Only time will tell.
