Alexander Zverev has had his share of heartbreaks on tennis’s biggest stage. Twice, the German came within a set of capturing his first Grand Slam title, but the elusive trophy continues to evade him despite his undeniable talent and over 100 victories in Grand Slam matches. Zverev’s closest brush with glory came in the 2020 US Open final, where he served for the championship against Dominic Thiem but fell short in a dramatic five-setter. Three years later, he had another significant opportunity, leading Carlos Alcaraz two sets to one in the French Open semi-finals, only to falter yet again.
World No. 2 Roger Federer, reflecting on Zverev’s career before the Laver Cup, offered candid insights into why the German has failed to break through at the Majors. Federer praised Zverev’s immense skill set but noted a recurring passiveness in crucial moments. According to Federer, Zverev needs to play more aggressively and take the initiative rather than retreating into his shell under pressure.
Zverev himself admitted to these shortcomings, acknowledging that he lacked a clear game plan and executed poorly in the critical moments of his matches. His most recent disappointment came at the 2024 US Open, where he was defeated by home favorite Taylor Fritz in the quarter-finals. Zverev, a former finalist in New York, entered the tournament as one of the top contenders but succumbed to Fritz in a hard-fought four-set match, 7-6, 3-6, 6-4, 7-6, under the lights of Arthur Ashe Stadium.
### The Match: Zverev vs. Fritz
The quarter-final clash between Zverev and Fritz lasted three hours and 26 minutes, delivering high drama and showcasing Fritz’s resolve in front of an electrified home crowd. Fritz, seeded 12th, edged Zverev in two crucial tiebreaks, marking a historic moment in his career as he reached his first Grand Slam semi-final.
Zverev served at an impressive 71% and fired 14 aces but struggled with consistency, offering Fritz 13 break point opportunities. While he saved 11 of them, he could not muster the decisive break to extend the match into a fifth set. Fritz, on the other hand, served impeccably, facing just four break points and saving two, which made the difference in a tightly contested battle.
The opening set set the tone for the evening, with both players holding serve comfortably through the early stages. Zverev had opportunities to break in the third and fifth games but failed to capitalize. Fritz, buoyed by the partisan crowd, kept his composure and took the first set in a tiebreak. After an early exchange of mini-breaks, the American surged ahead with a 5-2 lead and closed out the set with a flurry of winners.
### A Brief Resurgence
Zverev responded in the second set, stepping up his aggression and finally breaking Fritz’s serve in the eighth game after the American committed a forehand error. Serving at 5-3, Zverev held his nerve to level the match at one set apiece. However, this resurgence proved fleeting as Fritz regained control in the third set.
After trading early breaks, Fritz seized a crucial advantage with a late break, capitalizing on a Zverev backhand error to take the set 6-4. The momentum shift visibly affected Zverev, who began to struggle with his backhand, a shot that had been a key weapon throughout his career.
### The Decisive Fourth Set
The fourth set saw both players trading blows, with Fritz continuing to play confidently behind his serve. Zverev, meanwhile, fended off multiple break points in the sixth game, keeping himself in contention. Ultimately, the set was decided in another tiebreak, where Fritz once again rose to the occasion.
With the crowd firmly behind him, the American jumped to a 4-1 lead in the tiebreak and never looked back. A volley winner and a series of Zverev errors gave Fritz three match points. On the first, Zverev mishit a forehand, sending Fritz into uncharted territory—a Grand Slam semi-final.
### Post-Match Reflections
After the match, Zverev was blunt in his assessment, calling his performance “tragic” and lamenting his inability to execute in the crucial moments. “What Roger said is completely fine,” Zverev admitted. “It’s absolutely clear to me that I did not play the way I wanted. The match against Taylor turned into a disaster.”
Federer’s critique seems to have struck a chord with the German, who recognized the need to adopt a more proactive approach. “I need to go for my shots more,” Zverev added. “It’s something I’ve known for a long time, but in the heat of the moment, I’ve often fallen back into old habits.”
### The Road Ahead
At 27 years old, Zverev remains one of the most gifted players on the tour, with the tools to challenge anyone on any surface. However, the mental hurdles he faces in the latter stages of Grand Slams continue to raise questions about his ability to capture the sport’s most prestigious titles.
For Fritz, the victory marked a career-defining moment and further solidified his place among the sport’s elite. The American credited the crowd for their support, saying, “Playing here in front of my family and friends gave me the extra push I needed. This is a dream come true.”
As Zverev looks to regroup and learn from yet another near-miss, the question remains: will he finally overcome his demons and claim the Grand Slam title that has so cruelly eluded him? For now, the German will need to channel Federer’s advice and his own reflections to ensure that his next opportunity does not slip through his fingers.