Alexander Zverev, the German tennis star, has been in blistering form recently, lifting his first Paris Masters title and his seventh Masters 1000 trophy after dominating French home favorite Ugo Humbert 6-2, 6-2 in the final. It was a remarkable achievement for Zverev, who has now notched up a stellar 66-20 win-loss record in 2024. However, as the season winds down and the prestigious ATP Finals loom on the horizon, many wonder whether Zverev’s intense schedule might leave him feeling mentally or physically drained.
With nearly 90 matches played in a packed 2024 season, including a quarterfinal appearance in Vienna the week before Paris, the 27-year-old is now preparing for the season’s grand finale in Turin, Italy, from November 10-17. As one of the six players to have secured their spot at the ATP Finals (joining Jannik Sinner, Carlos Alcaraz, Daniil Medvedev, Taylor Fritz, and Novak Djokovic), Zverev was asked if he felt fatigue setting in after such a rigorous campaign.
### Zverev’s Perspective: No Fatigue Ahead of the ATP Finals
While many players may struggle with fatigue as the season progresses, especially after competing in numerous tournaments in quick succession, Zverev remains confident that once the ATP Finals begin, motivation will never be an issue. He emphasized that players always feel a unique sense of excitement when they reach the season-ending tournament, making it impossible to enter the event feeling anything less than motivated.
“Everybody becomes motivated for Turin,” Zverev said. “It’s such a special tournament. It’s such a special atmosphere and feeling when you’re there and only eight players in the world are there. So you feel special already just by being there. I think everybody is motivated. Everybody wants to win this title and play good tennis. So I think that’s not the case [of lacking motivation].”
Zverev continued to explain that while the latter part of the season may bring some challenges in terms of motivation or fatigue for players who haven’t qualified for the ATP Finals, the top eight players in the world always bring their best game to the table.
“I think the later tournaments in the season, which are normal tournaments, maybe some players are a bit more tired, maybe lacking motivation a bit,” Zverev added. “But I think in Turin, once you’ve made that tournament, I mean, you’re fighting all year to make the cut there, right? So I think once you’re there, you’re going to give it your best, and everybody else will, as well. At the end of the day, you’re only playing the best eight players in the world. So there are no easy matches, and you have to play your best tennis from the first match on.”
With the ATP Finals drawing the best players in the world, it’s clear that Zverev understands the intensity and the importance of this prestigious event. He knows that every match in Turin will be a battle, and every player will bring their A-game.
### Zverev’s ATP Finals History
Zverev’s credentials at the ATP Finals are strong. He has qualified for the tournament six times and has already won two titles, with victories in 2018 and 2021. These accomplishments further solidify his status as one of the elite players on the tour, and the German will be hoping to add another title to his collection this year. With his recent success at the Paris Masters and his solid form leading into the Finals, Zverev is looking to make a deep run in Turin and end the season on a high note.
### Zverev’s Approach to His Schedule: Balancing Tournaments and Rest
As is often the case at the end of a long and demanding season, the topic of scheduling and tournament selection has come under scrutiny. With players often expressing concerns about the packed tennis calendar, there’s been increasing debate about whether limiting tournament appearances could improve a player’s chances at the Grand Slams or help them peak during crucial parts of the season. Zverev, who will turn 28 in April and has already reached two Grand Slam finals (the 2020 US Open and 2023 French Open), was asked if he planned to adjust his schedule to focus on winning a Major in 2025.
Zverev was quick to address the question, stating that he feels his current schedule has worked well for him, and he doesn’t believe limiting his tournaments is necessary to succeed at the Grand Slams.
“Do I? I don’t know. I think every player is different. Every player has his own way,” Zverev said. “For me, I mean, I played all the Masters events, which I will play next year as well, for sure. I think they are the biggest tournaments that the ATP has. I will hopefully play all the Grand Slams.”
The world No. 2 explained that despite his busy schedule, he hasn’t played an overwhelming number of events this season. “There are not that many tournaments that I’ve played, actually,” he clarified. “There’s only very selective tournaments that I’ve played. Of course, with the Olympics this year, two tournaments came along, which were more, Hamburg and Olympics. But apart from that, I didn’t play that extremely much.”
Zverev provided a detailed breakdown of his calendar, pointing out that after the Australian Open, he took a month off and only participated in two tournaments in Mexico before the Masters events began. He added that on clay, he played Munich outside of the Masters events and that his grass-court schedule was limited to just one tournament before Wimbledon. After the US Open, Zverev only competed in Shanghai, Vienna, and Paris, further underscoring his selective approach.
“It’s not like I’m playing every single week and chasing points,” Zverev concluded. “I’ve won a lot of matches, which is beneficial. Everybody wants to win a lot of matches, but I wouldn’t say I played a lot of tournaments this year.”
### Looking Ahead to 2025 and Beyond
Despite falling short in the 2020 US Open final to Dominic Thiem and this year’s French Open final to Carlos Alcaraz, Zverev remains focused on his long-term goals. With two Grand Slam finals under his belt and a career-high ranking of No. 2, he is determined to break through and win a Major. His schedule, combined with his recent form, has positioned him as one of the most consistent and dangerous players on the ATP Tour.
Looking ahead, Zverev will continue to balance tournament play with the need for rest and recovery, all while maintaining his focus on the ultimate prize—winning a Grand Slam and, ultimately, achieving the top spot in the rankings.
With the ATP Finals just around the corner and Zverev in peak form, it’s clear that he’s ready to battle for yet another prestigious title to cap off his exceptional 2024 season. As the best players in the world prepare to meet in Turin, Zverev will be among the favorites to claim the title, cementing his legacy as one of the game’s greats.