Alexander Zverev, the 27-year-old German tennis star and world No. 2, has long been tipped as a future Grand Slam champion, yet the elusive major title has remained just out of reach. After a string of near-misses, including three Grand Slam final losses, Zverev’s recent performances have sparked renewed optimism. Tennis legends Rafael Nadal and Boris Becker, two titans of the sport, have declared that Zverev has reached a pivotal “turning point” in his career, citing his resilience, mental growth, and commanding victory at the 2025 Munich Open as evidence of a player ready to claim his place among the elite. As Zverev prepares for the Madrid Open, where he faces Dominik Koepfer in the second round on April 27, 2025, the tennis world is abuzz with anticipation: could this be the season he finally breaks through?
Zverev’s journey has been one of undeniable talent tempered by heartbreak. Since turning pro, he has amassed 22 ATP titles, including two ATP Finals crowns, and reached finals at the 2020 US Open, 2024 French Open, and 2025 Australian Open. Yet, each time, he fell short—losing to Dominic Thiem in a five-set thriller, Carlos Alcaraz in a grueling Roland Garros battle, and Jannik Sinner in a straight-sets masterclass in Melbourne. “When he walked onto the court with his shoulders slightly slumped forward and his head hanging low, I thought oh God,” Becker recalled of Zverev’s Australian Open final, noting Sinner’s contrasting confidence. Despite the defeat, Becker saw progress, praising Zverev’s ability to reach the final after Novak Djokovic’s injury-forced retirement in the semi-finals. “Sasha, keep believing my friend! You have IT in you,” Djokovic himself wrote on Instagram, echoing the sentiment that Zverev’s moment is near.
Nadal, speaking at the 2025 Laureus World Sports Awards, offered glowing praise for Zverev’s trajectory. “I think he’s great, no? He’s an incredible player. The only thing he’s missing is a Grand Slam title. But probably at some point he will make it happen,” the 22-time Grand Slam champion said, highlighting Zverev’s consistency and work ethic. Nadal’s confidence was further reinforced by Zverev’s Munich triumph in April 2025, which he called an “important moment for him.” The BMW Open title, Zverev’s third in Munich, came with a dominant 6-3, 6-4 win over Holger Rune, showcasing the aggressive baseline play and massive serve that have made him a top seed at the Monte-Carlo Masters and Madrid Open. “He’s doing a great job,” Nadal added, noting Zverev’s ability to rebound from a rocky post-Australian Open stretch, where he posted a 6-5 record, including a three-set loss to Arthur Fils in Miami.
Becker, a six-time major winner, has been particularly vocal about Zverev’s potential, while pinpointing his mental hurdles. On his podcast with Andrea Petkovic, Becker identified Zverev’s “mental attitude” as the key barrier, observing that he’s “not as convinced of himself at the moment as he was in Melbourne or at the end of last year.” Speculation about a coaching collaboration between the two Germans intensified when Becker was spotted watching Zverev practice in Monte-Carlo, but Zverev downplayed the rumors, saying, “Boris and I have a great connection,” while refusing to confirm any official partnership. Becker’s advice for Zverev ahead of the Australian Open final—to “up the mental stakes” against Sinner—remains relevant as Zverev navigates the clay season, where he holds a 34-9 career record at Roland Garros, more wins than at any other major.
Zverev’s 2025 season has been a tale of resilience. His Australian Open run, where he surpassed Becker’s record for most match wins by a German man in Melbourne (30), included a semi-final win over Djokovic, marking only the second time a player has both won and lost a Grand Slam semi-final by retirement, a feat previously achieved by Nadal. Despite losses in Buenos Aires, Rio, Indian Wells, and Miami, Zverev’s Munich victory signaled a return to form. “I think the big difference is Boris Becker lifted this trophy twice,” Zverev said humbly when informed of his record-breaking Melbourne wins, keeping his focus on capturing a major title. His 4-2 head-to-head edge over Sinner, including wins at the 2021 and 2023 US Opens, suggests he can challenge the world No. 1 on hard courts, while his clay prowess makes him a threat at Roland Garros.
The tennis community is rallying behind Zverev. Posts on X have celebrated his Munich win as a sign of things to come, with some fans calling him “Germany’s next Slam champion.” Becker believes a Zverev victory would spark a “tennis boom” in Germany, where only he and Michael Stich have won men’s Grand Slam titles in the Open Era. As Zverev steps onto Madrid’s red clay, where he’s a two-time champion, the words of Nadal and Becker ring true: this could be the turning point. With his powerful game, renewed focus, and the support of tennis royalty, Zverev is closer than ever to shedding the “nearly man” label and writing his own chapter in tennis history.