As the tennis world turns its attention to the clay courts of Rome for the 2025 Italian Open, former doubles World No. 1 and respected commentator Rennae Stubbs has ignited a firestorm of debate with a pointed critique of Alexander Zverev, the current World No. 2. Stubbs, known for her candid takes and coaching stints with Serena Williams and Samantha Stosur, has publicly questioned whether Zverev deserves his lofty ranking, arguing that his inconsistent performances at major tournaments fail to justify his status as the second seed. With Zverev set to defend his 2024 Rome title, Stubbs’ comments have added intrigue to an already high-stakes event.
Speaking on The Rennae Stubbs Tennis Podcast, Stubbs didn’t mince words. “[Alexander] Zverev is the number two seed in Rome. You don’t get there without winning a lot of matches, but there is a difference between stepping up and winning the big matches,” she said, highlighting Zverev’s struggles to convert opportunities at the highest level. Despite his 24 ATP Tour singles titles, including seven Masters 1000 crowns and the 2021 ATP Finals, Zverev has yet to claim a Grand Slam, a glaring gap in his resume at 28. Stubbs suggested that a deep run in Rome—potentially facing Carlos Alcaraz or Jannik Sinner—could silence doubters. “If he does beat Carlos or gets to the finals here or wins Rome, then it’s a totally different story,” she added, setting a high bar for the German star.
Zverev’s 2025 season has been a mixed bag, amplifying Stubbs’ critique. He started the year with a runner-up finish at the Australian Open, falling to Sinner in straight sets (6-3, 7-6, 6-3), and reached the semifinals in Rotterdam and Monte Carlo. However, his Masters 1000 campaign has been lackluster, with early exits at Indian Wells (second round to Tallon Griekspoor), Miami (fourth round to Arthur Fils), and Madrid (fourth round to Francisco Cerundolo). His sole title came at the BMW Open in Munich, where he defeated Ben Shelton, but a 4-4 record at Masters 1000 events has raised eyebrows. “Holding a 4-4 record at Masters 1000 events as the world’s number two-ranked player is certainly cause for concern,” Stubbs noted, echoing sentiments shared by fans on social media platforms like X, where posts have questioned Zverev’s consistency.
Stubbs’ history of calling out Zverev adds context to her latest remarks. In 2022, she labeled his behavior at the Acapulco Open “disgusting” after he smashed his racket against the umpire’s chair, calling for a four-month ban and a six-figure fine. “This is absolutely unacceptable,” she wrote at the time, advocating for the penalty to benefit a domestic violence charity. More recently, in 2024, Stubbs criticized Zverev’s outburst at the Shanghai Masters, where he blamed umpires for his Grand Slam final losses. “You’re making like 20 million dollars a year, fuck off!” she quipped on her podcast, urging him to take responsibility. “You had opportunities… You can’t tell me that the umpire robbed you so badly that you lost,” she added, dismissing his victim mentality.
Zverev’s off-court controversies, including domestic abuse allegations from former partners Olya Sharypova (2020) and Brenda Patea (2023), have also drawn scrutiny, though he has denied the claims. Stubbs has addressed these issues sparingly, noting in January 2025 that she’s “said my peace” on the topic, preferring to focus on tennis. Her reluctance to dwell on the allegations during a podcast episode sparked debate among fans, with one X user asking why she avoided discussing a heckler’s interruption at Zverev’s Australian Open trophy ceremony. “I wanted to talk about the tennis & the great storylines,” Stubbs responded, prioritizing on-court narratives.
As Rome kicks off, Zverev faces a gauntlet of potential matchups, including Fils, Lorenzo Musetti, Alcaraz, or Sinner, who leads their head-to-head 4-3. His 5-4 edge over Alcaraz, including a 2024 ATP Finals win, offers hope, but Stubbs’ challenge looms large: prove the ranking with results. With a career-high 450 wins and an Olympic gold medal from Tokyo 2020, Zverev’s talent is undeniable, but Stubbs’ call for accountability underscores the pressure to deliver in the spotlight.
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