‘Optimistic’ Alexander Zverev Grand Slam prediction made by former world No 9
Andrea Petkovic has revealed that she is “optimistic” that Alexander Zverev will break his Grand Slam duck and ultimately win a major title.
World No 2 Zverev fell to 0-3 in Grand Slam finals at the Australian Open last month, beaten 6-3, 7-6(4), 6-3 by world No 1 and defending champion Jannik Sinner.
That followed a five-set defeat to Dominic Thiem in the US Open final back in 2020, and a loss in five sets to Carlos Alcaraz in the 2024 French Open final.
Zverev was two sets up and served for the title at the US Open five years ago, and was also two sets to one up versus Alcaraz at Roland Garros last year.
Since his most one-sided major final defeat to date, debate has raged about the cause of his struggles at majors.
Zverev has won 23 ATP Tour titles, including an Olympic gold medal, two ATP Finals titles, and seven titles at Masters 1000 level; he has little to prove outside of lifting his first Slam.
Many have pondered if the 27-year-old has the mental strength to win one of the four Grand Slams up for grabs.
However, speaking alongside Boris Becker on their podcast Becker Petkovic, former world No 9 Petkovic offered a positive assessment of his chances.
The former French Open semi-finals claimed that Zverev had “everything necessary” to win a Slam – and that it was a question of whether he believed that was the case.
“I don’t think that Sascha’s problem is psychological, because if he had this problem, how could he have reached the second place in the world?
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“He himself has everything necessary for a great triumph. I am convinced that Zverev has the mental strength for such a triumph, as well as all the shots, but the question is whether he believes in it himself.
“He will have to solve this problem. I am optimistic and I am convinced that sooner or later he will achieve it.”
Petkovic’s optimism contrasts what was a rather downbeat from Zverev in his post-match speech following the Australian Open final.
“It sucks standing next to this thing [the trophy] and not being able to touch it,” said Zverev.
“Congrats to Jannik – you’re the best player in the world by far. I was hoping I could be more competitive today. You’re just too good, you really deserve it. Congrats to your team as well. There’s no one that deserves this trophy more.
“We’re [he and his team] trying to do all the right work. I’m just not good enough, it’s as simple as that.”
Zverev will return to action at the Argentina Open in Buenos Aires next week, before entering the Rio Open the following week.
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