Alexander Zverev has undoubtedly been one of the most consistent and impressive players on the ATP Tour this year, often finding himself a topic of discussion in debates surrounding the rising stars of the game, Carlos Alcaraz and Jannik Sinner. The 27-year-old German has cemented his place at the very top of the game, finishing 2024 as the world No. 2, a remarkable achievement given the fierce competition he has faced this season. Despite the overwhelming success of the younger players, particularly Alcaraz and Sinner, Zverev’s continued brilliance has earned him recognition from some of tennis’s biggest names, including American tennis legend Andy Roddick.
Roddick, known for his insightful and candid commentary on the sport, recently spoke about Zverev’s exceptional year during an episode of Served with Andy Roddick. In a year that saw Carlos Alcaraz and Jannik Sinner dominate with multiple Grand Slam titles, Zverev has managed to hold his ground and finish the year with impressive consistency. Roddick took a moment to highlight Zverev’s achievements, pointing out that while the spotlight has often been on Alcaraz and Sinner, the German’s results speak for themselves. “You know, we talk about Sinner, Alcaraz… They are the guys. But math is math! He (Zverev) finished 2 in the world. Won in Bercy, semis here,” Roddick stated, reminding fans of Zverev’s remarkable season. Despite not securing a Grand Slam this year, Zverev made deep runs in several major tournaments and continued to compete at the highest level.
For Zverev, 2024 has been a year of continued resilience and excellence, even though he’s had to face significant challenges along the way. With 86 matches played this season, the German recorded 66 wins, showcasing not only his skill but his mental toughness in a year that was marked by fierce competition. His ability to perform consistently and reach the business end of most tournaments is a testament to his professionalism and hunger to succeed. However, Zverev’s season wasn’t without its hiccups, as he failed to capture a Grand Slam title, a goal that remains elusive for him despite his undeniable talent.
In a recent conversation with Roddick, Zverev opened up about some of the interesting dynamics on the ATP Tour, particularly regarding the players he finds most challenging. Zverev shared a funny anecdote about a conversation he had with Carlos Alcaraz, where they discussed their “uncomfortable” opponents on tour. Zverev revealed that, for Alcaraz, players like Daniil Medvedev and Taylor Fritz were among the most comfortable opponents, whereas for him, it was quite the opposite. “For him (Alcaraz), I think some of the most comfortable opponents are Daniil Medvedev and Taylor Fritz. For me, it’s completely the opposite,” Zverev said, adding, “He really doesn’t like playing some of the big hitters like Jannik Sinner. He’s a great player, No. 1 in the world, for sure, but I still enjoy playing him.”
Roddick later reflected on Zverev’s thoughts, emphasizing how intriguing the matchup dynamics are in modern tennis. “Zverev probably played better for most of the matches. Some about those moments with Taylor, he doesn’t mind that matchup. And it’s so interesting because Sinner doesn’t mind the matchup with Fritz. Zverev normally plays well against Sinner. It’s just all matchups at a certain level,” Roddick explained. Indeed, matchups are a key factor in professional tennis, and Zverev’s head-to-head record against certain players speaks to this point.
Zverev’s record against Jannik Sinner is one of the most notable in the ATP. Currently, the German leads the head-to-head 4-2, which shows that Zverev is more than capable of going toe-to-toe with the world No. 1. However, it’s Zverev’s struggles against Taylor Fritz that have become a talking point in the tennis community. Zverev and Fritz have met 12 times in their careers, with Fritz holding a 7-5 advantage. What’s even more significant is that the American has won 4 out of their 5 encounters in 2024, underscoring his dominance over Zverev in recent matchups. This has led many to question the dynamics of their rivalry, with Roddick noting that Zverev seems to play well for most of the match but struggles to clinch the win in key moments.
As we assess Zverev’s career, one question that often arises is whether he is the best player to have never won a Grand Slam title. Zverev has made it to two Grand Slam finals in his career — at the 2020 US Open and the 2024 French Open — but has unfortunately fallen short both times, leaving him with an empty trophy cabinet when it comes to majors. His near-misses have prompted discussions about whether he might be the most unfortunate player in the current tennis landscape. But Roddick, while acknowledging Zverev’s close calls, also pointed to another player who deserves to be mentioned in the same conversation — Spanish tennis star David Ferrer.
Roddick, who was a former rival of Ferrer on the ATP Tour, expressed his admiration for the Spanish player, saying, “Not nearly enough people say David Ferrer. So so so good.” Ferrer, who reached the finals of the French Open in 2013 and was a consistent contender throughout his career, often flew under the radar despite his immense talent. Ferrer’s career was marked by several deep runs at major tournaments, including four semifinals at Grand Slams, but like Zverev, he was never able to win a major title before his retirement in 2019.
As for Zverev, despite his struggles at the Grand Slam level, there is still plenty of optimism for his future. At just 27 years old, Zverev has many years left in his career, and based on his performances this season, German fans have reason to be hopeful. Zverev has already set his sights on 2025, with a clear goal in mind — winning his first Grand Slam title. “It’s very difficult to be world No. 1 without winning a Slam. I had the chance in 2022 if I would have not gotten injured,” Zverev reflected in a recent interview. “You have to win Grand Slams to become world No. 1. I’m world No. 2 now, but I’m 3,000 points away from Jannik.” Zverev’s determination is clear, and with his talent and resilience, he could very well break through and claim his first major in the coming years.
Zverev’s goal for 2025 is ambitious but achievable, and given his consistent performances this season, he’s undoubtedly a strong contender for a Grand Slam title. The question remains: can he surpass the likes of Jannik Sinner and Carlos Alcaraz to win a major in 2025? Only time will tell, but one thing is certain — Zverev’s journey is far from over, and the tennis world will be watching closely as he continues his quest for a Grand Slam title.