Following the disappointment in the Madrid final, Boris Becker has expressed doubts about Alexander Zverev’s attitude. Here’s what the tennis legend has to say and how he assesses Zverev’s chances at the French Open.
German tennis legend Boris Becker has criticized Alexander Zverev’s lack of will to win in his matches against world No. 1 Jannik Sinner. “I’d like to see a little more fighting spirit, a little more aggression. Everyone, including Zverev, concedes defeat to Sinner relatively early on. The exception is Alcaraz. The guys go into the match holding back, almost scared,” Becker said in a joint podcast with former tennis player Andrea Petkovic.
On Sunday, Zverev was outclassed in the Madrid Masters final and lost to Sinner 1-6, 2-6. In their head-to-head matchup, it was the German’s ninth consecutive defeat. “The match was over after five games. You didn’t get the impression that Sascha had any hope left in any part of his body that there was still a chance,” Becker said.
Becker wonders: “Something is going on with Sascha”
Zverev is currently ranked number three in the world and is in contention for the title week after week. At the Australian Open as well as at the Masters tournaments in Indian Wells, Miami, and Monte Carlo, he only lost to Sinner in the semifinals.
“I thought Sascha was on par with Zverev on clay, but right now it doesn’t look that way. Something is going on with Sascha that’s preventing him from reaching his full potential in a semifinal or final,” said Becker, though he also had words of praise: “I think Sascha is having his most consistent year yet.”
Zverev has good chances at the French Open
In Becker’s opinion, Zverev will once again be in contention for the title at the second Grand Slam tournament in Paris. This is especially true since top favorite Carlos Alcaraz is out due to injury. “The cards for Roland Garros have been completely reshuffled. Suddenly, more players have a realistic chance of at least reaching the final or even winning. And for me, that includes Zverev,” said Becker. The French Open begins at the end of May.
Champions League showdown: Ahead of Bayern match – opponent surprises with roster This week, Zverev is competing at the Masters tournament in Rome. In the second round, he could face off against fellow German Daniel Altmaier.