As the 2025 French Open approaches, Alexander Zverev, the World No. 3 and a perennial Grand Slam contender, finds himself under scrutiny from tennis legend Boris Becker, who believes the German has lost his “killer instinct” at critical moments. Zverev, who reached the Australian Open final in January but has struggled since, faces mounting pressure to rediscover his edge on the Roland Garros clay, where he was a finalist in 2024. “Right now, since February, March, April, he doesn’t have that killer instinct,” Becker said on his Becker Petkovic podcast, pinpointing a mental lapse that has cost Zverev in key matches. With a tough draw and a recent loss to illness in Hamburg, Zverev’s quest for a maiden major title is a compelling storyline in Paris.
Zverev’s 2025 season began with promise, as he powered to the Australian Open final, only to fall to Jannik Sinner in straight sets, 6-3, 7-5, 6-3. His performance in Melbourne, where he defeated Novak Djokovic in the semifinals before Djokovic’s injury-forced retirement, showcased his potential to dominate. However, the subsequent months have been a rollercoaster. Despite a title in Munich, Zverev’s 6-5 record since February includes early exits at Indian Wells, Miami, Monte Carlo, Madrid, and Rome, with a particularly stinging second-round loss to Alexandre Muller in Hamburg. “He is not as convinced of himself at the moment as he was in Melbourne or at the end of last year,” Becker noted, highlighting a lack of self-belief that has seen Zverev squander winning positions, such as third-set breaks against Arthur Fils in Miami and Francisco Comesana in Rio.
Becker, who coached Djokovic to six majors, emphasized the mental fortitude required to close out matches, a trait he sees in champions like Djokovic, Rafael Nadal, and Roger Federer. His podcast co-host, Andrea Petkovic, described this “killer instinct” as a predator-like ability to “smell weakness, slam the lid on it, and then it’s over.” While Becker acknowledges Zverev’s talent—“I’m convinced he has that killer instinct, otherwise he wouldn’t be number two in the world”—he believes the 27-year-old’s recent struggles stem from a dip in confidence. “Can you train something like that? Is there a school for mentality, for self-confidence, for inner peace, for inner faith?” Becker mused, raising questions about whether Zverev can regain his edge.
Zverev’s clay-court pedigree, with semifinals in three of his last four French Opens and a 2024 final loss to Carlos Alcaraz (3-6, 6-2, 7-5, 1-6, 2-6), makes him a threat in Paris. Yet, his first-round matchup against 19-year-old American Learner Tien, who upset him in Acapulco this year, is a potential banana skin. A favorable draw, avoiding Sinner and Djokovic until the semifinals, offers hope, but Becker warns that Zverev must seize critical moments to avoid slipping in the ATP Race to Turin, where his Melbourne points have masked his recent woes. “He had a break in the third against the Argentine Comesana in Rio. He served against Griekspoor in Indian Wells for the match,” Becker recalled, pointing to missed opportunities.
Off the court, Zverev’s resilience is notable. Diagnosed with type 1 diabetes at age three, he manages his condition with the Alexander Zverev Foundation, supporting others with the disease. Speculation about a coaching change, fueled by Becker’s presence at Zverev’s Monte Carlo practice, was quashed by Zverev, who said, “If there is anything new, I will let you know.” For now, he relies on his father, Alexander Sr., and his work ethic, which Petkovic praised: “He was registered on all the training grounds… 4 hours here, 3 hours there.” As Zverev steps onto Court Philippe-Chatrier, the tennis world watches to see if he can rediscover his killer instinct and finally claim the Grand Slam title that has eluded him.
# Zverev’s Quest to Rediscover Killer Instinct at 2025 French Open
## A Faltering Edge
Alexander Zverev, World No. 3, faces scrutiny from Boris Becker, who believes the German has lost his “killer instinct” in 2025. “Right now, since February, March, April, he doesn’t have that killer instinct,” Becker said on his Becker Petkovic podcast, pointing to Zverev’s 6-5 record since his Australian Open final loss to Jannik Sinner. Early exits in Indian Wells, Miami, Monte Carlo, Madrid, and Rome, plus a Hamburg loss to Alexandre Muller, highlight his struggles.
## Mental Struggles Under the Spotlight
Becker, who coached Novak Djokovic to six majors, sees Zverev’s dip in self-belief as the core issue. “He is not as convinced of himself at the moment as he was in Melbourne or at the end of last year,” he noted. Andrea Petkovic described the “killer instinct” as a predator-like ability to seize weakness. Becker recalled Zverev’s missed chances, like third-set breaks against Arthur Fils in Miami and Francisco Comesana in Rio, asking, “Can you train something like that? Is there a school for mentality, for self-confidence?”
## Clay-Court Hopes
Despite a Munich title, Zverev’s clay season has been inconsistent. His 2024 French Open final loss to Carlos Alcaraz and three prior semifinals show his potential. Facing Learner Tien in the first round, who beat him in Acapulco, Zverev must be sharp. A favorable draw avoids Sinner and Djokovic until the semifinals, but Becker warns, “He had a break in the third against Comesana in Rio. He served against Griekspoor in Indian Wells for the match.”
## Resilience and Redemption
Zverev’s work ethic, praised by Petkovic—“He was registered on all the training grounds… 4 hours here, 3 hours there”—and his management of type 1 diabetes via his foundation highlight his resilience. Denying coaching rumors with Becker—“If there is anything new, I will let you know”—Zverev trusts his father’s guidance. As he aims for a maiden major, his ability to rediscover his killer instinct will define his Roland Garros campaign.
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