Tennis: Zverev’s goal: With “eggs” to the title in Australia

Alexander Zverev took this defeat lightly with a smile. Shortly before the start of the Australian Open, the world number two and Novak Djokovic played a show set under floodlights for the spectators in the Rod Laver Arena. The 6:7 (6:8) at the “Night with Novak” couldn’t dampen the Hamburger’s good mood. “He looks good, his serve is strong,” said record winner Djokovic, praising his opponent’s form.

The Happy Slam, as the Australian Open is called due to the relaxed atmosphere on the Yarra River in the Australian summer, has also captured Zverev’s heart. “I love Australia,” said the 2021 Olympic champion shortly before the start of the first Grand Slam tournament of the year on Sunday: “The vibe is just great, everyone seems to be very, very happy.”

Second place is no longer enough for Zverev

Of course, Zverev didn’t travel halfway around the world just for fun. He’s on a mission. The 27-year-old is considered perhaps the best player in tennis history who has never celebrated a Grand Slam victory. But he doesn’t see this as a compliment, but rather as a flaw.

“I have won many tournaments that I dreamed of winning. One dream is still open: that of a Grand Slam,” said Zverev. That’s why last season, with his rise to number two in the world, a total of 69 victories and Masters titles in Rome and Paris, was “not a success” for him at the end of the day.

Zverev has missed the coronation several times. Last June at the French Open against Carlos Alcaraz and in 2020 at the US Open against Dominic Thiem, he lost five-set finals in dramatic fashion. And last year at the Australian Open, Zverev missed the semifinals against the Russian Daniil Medvedev.

Side swipe from friend Sophia Thomalla

“Two-set lead against Medvedev – you would have won that better,” even criticized friend Sophia Thomalla in the Tennis Channel podcast “A to Z”. Zverev looked to the side, slightly embarrassed. He knows that even because of missed opportunities like this, the title of an RTL documentary about him is still a prophecy: “Zverev – The Unfinished”.

The draw on Thursday did not offer any unpleasant surprises for Zverev. A win in the first round is mandatory against the Frenchman Lucas Pouille, who starts with a wild card. An atmospheric duel with Australian Nick Kyrgios could await in the third round. And only in the semifinals would a meeting with fellow favorites Carlos Alcaraz and Djokovic be possible.

The biceps strain that Zverev suffered during the United Cup a week and a half before the start of the tournament is likely to have healed. But is it enough for the big coup?

Becker: Zverev is running out of time

Time is slowly running out – says Boris Becker. “He’s now at an age where he has to do it,” said the German tennis icon in the “Becker Petkovic” podcast with former top player Andrea Petkovic. The longed-for Grand Slam title must be achieved “in the next 18 months,” said Becker, “otherwise it will be much more difficult.” Zverev’s supposedly biggest competitors, the Italian world number one Jannik Sinner (23) and Spain’s tennis ace Alcaraz (21), are significantly younger.

Zverev and his team have done “99 percent of everything right so far. But that one percent is missing,” said Becker, who counts the Hamburg native as one of the four tournament favorites alongside Djokovic, behind Sinner and Alcaraz. Becker’s advice: install a kind of “super coach” next to trainer and father Alexander Zverev Senior. Just like the 24-time Grand Slam tournament winner Novak Djokovic is currently trying out with ex-professional Andy Murray.

Becker himself would theoretically be free to do so. “I love Boris and I also believe that he has incredible technical knowledge,” Zverev told “Tennismagazin”: “But I don’t know how he travels.” As soon as Becker has “solved and clarified that, we can talk about it.” During the Australian Open, the three-time Wimbledon winner will again be working remotely as an expert for TV channel Eurosport.

Zverev shows “balls” with change of bat

Zverev still seems to be open to new things for his big dream. He wants to implement a more offensive and aggressive style of play in important moments of big matches. And he switched to a completely new bat last fall.

“It also takes a bit of balls,” said Zverev. “It’s not like I’m going to settle and say I’m going to sit back and enjoy the results that I’m having.” Of course he is “driven,” said manager Mischa Zverev about his brother, for whom 2025 is supposed to be “the best year ever.”

He is already one of the biggest tennis stars. During the photo shoot with the 428 ball children at the Australian Open, the young helpers didn’t just look up to Zverev because of his almost two meter body length. But without a Grand Slam title he remains unfinished.