Alexander Zverev has had a rollercoaster of a season in 2024, showing glimpses of brilliance but also facing setbacks that have prevented him from achieving his ultimate goal: winning a Grand Slam. The German player, who suffered a serious ankle injury in 2022, made an impressive comeback this year, highlighted by his victory at the Masters 1000 tournament in Rome. This win was seen as a major statement, confirming that Zverev was once again a force to be reckoned with at the top levels of tennis. With Rafael Nadal often sidelined due to injuries and Novak Djokovic showing signs of slowing down, many believed that 2024 could be Zverev’s breakthrough year. However, despite his strong performances, the elusive Grand Slam title still remains out of reach.
Zverev’s season started off promisingly, but it quickly turned into a series of near-misses at the most crucial moments. At the Australian Open, Zverev reached the semifinals, where he faced Daniil Medvedev. Despite having numerous opportunities to take control of the match, he ultimately fell short, unable to capitalize on the chances he created. The loss was a bitter pill to swallow for the German, as it seemed like his best chance to claim a major title in Melbourne.
His fortunes continued to fluctuate as the tour moved to clay. At the French Open, Zverev once again found himself in a prime position to win a Grand Slam. He reached the final after a string of impressive performances, and he looked poised to capture his first major trophy when he took a commanding two-set lead over Carlos Alcaraz. However, the young Spaniard mounted a stunning comeback, clawing his way back into the match and ultimately defeating Zverev in a thrilling five-set battle. For Zverev, it was a crushing defeat, as he had been so close to achieving his lifelong dream, only to watch it slip away in the final moments.
Zverev’s frustrations didn’t end there. At both Wimbledon and the US Open, he faced Taylor Fritz, who proved to be a thorn in his side. In both tournaments, Zverev struggled to handle the pressure and was unable to find his best tennis against the American. At Wimbledon, Zverev had been playing some of the best grass-court tennis of his career before his momentum was abruptly halted by Fritz. Similarly, at the US Open, Zverev’s path seemed to clear after early exits by Alcaraz and Djokovic, giving him what appeared to be a golden opportunity to make a deep run. However, he once again faltered against Fritz, playing what he described as a “horrible match” and failing to reach the final, where Jannik Sinner eventually triumphed.
Despite these setbacks, Zverev remains one of the top players in the world, currently ranked World No. 3. However, his inability to overcome Alcaraz and Sinner in the biggest tournaments has left many questioning whether he has what it takes to win a Grand Slam. Zverev himself has acknowledged that he needs to improve his mental toughness, particularly in the critical moments of big matches. While he has shown that he can compete with the best on any surface, his lapses in concentration and inability to close out important matches have been his undoing.
Off the court, Zverev has also faced challenges this season. After competing in the Laver Cup, he contracted a severe case of pneumonia, which forced him to miss the tournament in Beijing and led to an early exit in Shanghai, where he was defeated by David Goffin. Reflecting on his health struggles, Zverev admitted that recovering from pneumonia has been a slow process. “It takes time. You have to take the right medicines, clean the lungs. It’s not a matter of a few weeks,” Zverev explained ahead of the ATP 500 tournament in Vienna. He expressed optimism about his recovery but acknowledged that he is still feeling the effects of the illness. “I still feel a little more tired than I’m used to, but I was either taking a free season or playing as I can,” he added. Zverev’s focus now is on getting back to full fitness ahead of the 2025 Australian Open, where he hopes to be 100%.
Despite the ups and downs, Zverev is determined to end the season on a high note. He is set to compete in the final Masters 1000 tournament of the year in Paris-Bercy, a crucial event as he seeks to solidify his place among the top players in the ATP rankings. Reflecting on his season, Zverev noted that it had been “in patches” — with great moments, such as his win in Rome, but also disappointing losses at key tournaments. “Of course, the end of the French Open was very bitter, but that’s how it goes,” he said. Zverev also mentioned that his health issues throughout the season had affected his performance, particularly after the Olympics, when he began experiencing a persistent cough that ultimately turned out to be pneumonia. “Now at least we have answers,” he said, expressing relief at knowing the cause of his physical struggles.
Looking ahead to 2025, Zverev has ambitious goals. He dreams of closing out 2024 as the World No. 2, a position currently held by Carlos Alcaraz. “It would be great to finish the year as No. 2 in the world,” Zverev said, acknowledging that achieving this goal would require him to be at his best. With his sights set on finally winning a Grand Slam and reaching the pinnacle of the sport, Zverev knows that the coming year will be crucial for his career. While he has the talent and the tools to compete with the best, he will need to summon the mental fortitude that has eluded him in the past if he is to realize his full potential.
For now, Zverev remains one of the most gifted yet enigmatic players on the ATP Tour, a champion in waiting who must overcome his own demons to claim the biggest prizes in tennis. Whether 2025 will be the year he finally breaks through remains to be seen, but one thing is certain: Sascha Zverev is not giving up on his dream.