Alexander Zverev: Misunderstandings and Expectations

I first came across Alexander Zverev when I was just 14, back in 2017 at the US Open. I remember wandering around the grounds and noticing that a “Zverev” match was about to start. I think it was probably the second round, although I’m not entirely sure. I was aware that he was the fourth seed, so I figured it was going to be a significant match. However, when I arrived, I found it oddly not packed at all.

It took me a little while to realize that I was actually watching his older brother, Mischa Zverev, who was 23rd in the rankings and nine years his senior, instead of Alexander. Mischa didn’t get very far, but he did pull off a major upset against John Isner mid-tournament. He was a solid player, though he never quite reached the top tier of men’s tennis. Meanwhile, Alexander faced an early exit in the second round against Borna Coric. Thus, my first encounter with one of the most successful male tennis players of our time was marked by a bit of confusion.

Zverev has somewhat endured a case of mistaken identity throughout his career. If you focus only on the Grand Slams, he might seem like a frequent contender who fails to capture titles. Up until the French Open in 2026, he went 0-4 in major finals and 4-6 in semifinals, which is, surprisingly, quite a lot for someone of his caliber. But if you follow the tour more closely, you’d see a different side—25 singles titles to his name and one of the highest prize money earnings ever. Still, the stigma of underperformance at the Slams seems to cling to him.

Things shifted dramatically when Zverev clinched his first Grand Slam title. Yet, as the saying goes, there’s always a bigger fish. Carlos Alcaraz’s absence due to injury and Jannik Sinner’s shocking upset meant Zverev had a favorable path. If he wishes to be seen as more than just someone who got lucky at the French Open, he’s going to have to best the top players.

Now, here’s where it gets tricky. People often say, “There’s no proof that you can beat Alcaraz or Sinner in a five-set match,” but maybe that doesn’t apply to Zverev in the same way. Sure, Sinner has won ten matches in a row since his loss to Zverev at the 2023 US Open, which isn’t great for Zverev. However, he’s actually split matches with Alcaraz since then, and their last two Grand Slam encounters were intense five-set battles.

Playing five-set matches is a different beast compared to other formats, and Zverev’s past transitions might seem challenging. Still, he boasts a solid winning percentage in Grand Slams at 76%, which surpasses his overall win rate of 71%. Many elite players tend to have better Slam records, likely because lower-ranked players don’t get lucky enough to snag two sets from them. That’s just how five-setters work; there’s no faking it.

Interestingly, Zverev seems to have the potential to stand up to the best without the need for pretense. I’ve had my doubts about whether he truly has what it takes, but somehow, I find myself feeling optimistic about his abilities. His game is impressively mature, combining power and versatility in a way that’s rare. His serve, clocking in at over 140 mph on 72.6% of first serves, is something that even Sinner and Alcaraz would struggle to match. This makes him a formidable contender for the 2026 U.S. Open, maybe even against the top players. After everything he’s gone through, I can’t help but feel that he might actually achieve it—finally.