Alexander Zverev makes ‘playing terrible’ admission in No. 1 target update

Sam Cooper 09 Mar 2025 6:48 PM

Alexander Zverev admits reaching No 1 is now a tough ask.

Alexander Zverev said he is no longer thinking about becoming No. 1 after a run of defeats and admitted that he was “playing terrible.’

The German entered as the top seed in Indian Wells but was eliminated in his first match, knocked out by Tallon Griekspoor in his fifth loss of the year.

But with Jannik Sinner facing an extended period on the sidelines and with an Australian Open final already on his 2025 record, Zverev had hoped to reach No. 1 for the first time in his career, a goal he suggested would now be hard to achieve.

“It was in the beginning,” he said of the target of No. 1 being on his mind. “Now it’s less, because I’m just playing terrible.

“So for me, I have to find my game before thinking about that, because to become World No. 1, you have to win tournaments. I’m not
past getting first, second round at the moment. So I need to figure that out first.”

Worryingly for the 27-year-old, he was pressed on what area of his game he feels need improving and his answer was “a bit of everything.”

“I think I’m serving quite badly the last few weeks. My second serve is fine, but my first serve is terrible.

“From the back of the court I’m not playing great. It’s everything. You can’t really name one thing.”

Zverev had been enjoying a strong record against Griekspoor, beating him in the last five meetings including four in 2024 but the Dutchman’s victory was just the first time in his last 18 attempts that he has beaten a top 5 player.

Zverev refused to make excuses after the match, suggesting instead that he was not at the required level and was way off his performances at the Australian Open which saw him reach the final.

“I can sit here and have excuses, but at the end of the day I’m just not playing good tennis at the moment. It’s as simple as that.