Alexander Zverev, the towering German tennis star, has candidly admitted that he trails behind his younger rivals, Carlos Alcaraz and Jannik Sinner, in key aspects of his game, fueling his determination to close the gap as he prepares for the 2025 grass-court season. Speaking after his semifinal victory at the 2024 Paris Masters, where he defeated Holger Rune 6-3, 7-6(4), Zverev reflected on the aggressive brilliance of the sport’s top two players. “I feel like Jannik and Carlos, they are doing a few things better than me at the moment,” he said. “I want to improve not for tomorrow, not for today, or because of the matches I played here. I want to generally improve for next year as well.” His introspection, shared during a press conference, underscores a relentless drive to challenge the Sinner-Alcaraz duopoly that has dominated men’s tennis in 2024 and 2025.
At 28, Zverev has long been a force, with seven ATP Masters 1000 titles, including Rome in 2024, and a career-high World No. 2 ranking achieved after Paris. His 2024 season was formidable, with 65 wins tying Sinner for the most on tour, a Roland Garros final appearance, and an Australian Open semifinal run. Yet, despite leapfrogging Alcaraz in the rankings, Zverev remains humble about his place among the elite. “Jannik has the best year this season, for sure, and then Carlos had the second-best year,” he said. “I know that I’m ahead of him in the rankings maybe, but he won Wimbledon and Roland Garros. Those are two massive titles. So, they are still the two best players in the world, in my opinion, at the moment.” His acknowledgment highlights the extraordinary achievements of Sinner, who clinched the 2024 US Open and 2025 Australian Open, and Alcaraz, who secured Wimbledon and Roland Garros in 2024, plus the 2025 Italian Open.
Zverev pinpointed a specific area where Sinner and Alcaraz outshine him: their aggressive shot-making on short, high balls. “I feel like they are so aggressive,” he explained. “When they get an easy ball, when they’re in an attacking position, 90% of the time the point is over, whether it’s a winner or an unforced error.” In contrast, he noted, “With me, the point continues,” identifying his short high forehands as a priority for improvement. “That is just one of the things, but I think that is the main focus,” he added, revealing a rigorous post-match practice regimen to hone this skill. This commitment to growth, even after grueling matches, reflects Zverev’s ambition to break into the Grand Slam winners’ circle, a feat that has eluded him despite finals at the 2020 US Open and 2024 Roland Garros, where he fell to Alcaraz.
The German’s 2025 season has been a mixed bag. While he capitalized on Sinner’s three-month doping ban (February 9 to May 4, 2025) to win in Munich, his 6-6 record across Buenos Aires, Rio, Acapulco, Indian Wells, Miami, and Monte Carlo drew criticism. Italian commentator Paolo Bertolucci remarked, “Zverev made a mistake in his planning, going to play in South America and from there he got confused, losing points of reference.” Alcaraz, too, failed to fully seize the opportunity, winning in Rotterdam and Monte Carlo but faltering early in Miami. Sinner, returning at the Italian Open, maintained a 1,645-point lead over Zverev, underscoring the Italian’s dominance.
Zverev’s serve, typically a weapon at 6’6”, remains a strength—he ranks third in serve rating behind Giovanni Mpetshi Perricard and Matteo Berrettini—but he admitted it faltered at Indian Wells, where he lost to Tallon Griekspoor. “I serve better than both of them probably, but I am 6ft 6,” he said, noting that physical advantages alone aren’t enough. His focus on improving groundstrokes, particularly forehands, aims to match the decisiveness of Sinner and Alcaraz, who convert opportunities with ruthless precision.
As Wimbledon 2025 approaches, starting June 30, Zverev is poised to build on his strong grass-court showing in Halle last year, where he embraced the surface despite its challenges for taller players. “I know what it’s like, I’ve been at it for a while,” he said. With Sinner defending his 2024 title and Alcaraz chasing a third, Zverev’s renewed focus on aggressive play could make him a dark horse. His candid self-assessment and tireless work ethic signal a player determined to not just compete but contend for the sport’s biggest prizes, closing the gap on tennis’ brightest stars.
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