Alexander Zverev makes U-turn about ‘not good enough’ comments about Grand Slam title and No 1 ranking
A downcast Alexander Zverev admitted in the immediate aftermath of his Australian Open final loss against Jannik Sinner that “I’m just not good enough” to win a Grand Slam.
It was the third time in just over four years that Zverev had finished runner-up at a major as he lost in five sets against Dominic Thiem at the 2020 US Open and also lost five-setter against Carlos Alcaraz at the 2024 French Open.
But unlike the first two matches, his Melbourne Park showpiece match ended after just three sets as Sinner won 6-3 7-6 (7-4) 6-3.
A heartbroken Zverev told fans at Rod Laver Arena: “I mean it sucks standing here next to this trophy and not being able to touch it.
“Congratulations to Jannik, you more than deserve it. You are the best player in the world by far. I was hoping that I could be more of a competitor today but you are just too good, it’s as simple as that.
“Congratulations to your team as well, you have done all the right things so there is nobody that deserves the trophy more. I want to thank my team. We are trying to do all of the right work, I’m just not good enough – it is as simple as that.”
Alexander Zverev News
‘Optimistic’ Alexander Zverev Grand Slam prediction made by former world No 9
The 6 men to reach world No 2 but not win a Grand Slam: ft. Alexander Zverev & Casper Ruud
Emotions were clearly running high at the time, but two weeks later and Zverev has a fresh, upbeat outlook on his Grand Slam chances.
Ahead of his return to action at the Argentina Open, the German said: “After losing that kind of final and a lot of emotions go through your head, a lot of things go through your head. And sometimes I also say things that I regret.
“I kind of regret saying that maybe I’m not good enough. I have to keep believing in myself and believe that I am good enough to win Grand Slams, and I am good enough to become world No 1 if I keep improving.”
Now that he has time to reflect, the German – who currently sits at No 2 behind Sinner in the ATP Rankings – says it was a case of not being good enough “on that particular day” in Australia while he had his chances in his other two Slam finals.
He added: “In Australia, in the final, it was not good enough. I lost in three sets, so that was quite simple.
“The other two finals, I lost in five sets. In one of them, I had two sets to love and a break up, serving for the match in the US Open final against Dominic Thiem. That one I regret.
“Against Carlos, I was two sets to one up, so I feel like I had a lot of chances.
“In Australia, I wasn’t good enough in that on that particular day and in that particular moment.”
