Zverev’s Slump Continues as World No. 1 Chance Slips Away
Alexander Zverev can’t catch a break right now. The German star knows it, and he’s not making any excuses for his recent string of losses.
Zverev had a golden opportunity to overtake Jannik Sinner as world No. 1 during the Italian’s suspension. That chance is now gone.
| Name | Age | Points | Stats 2024 |
|---|---|---|---|
| de Alexander Zverev | 27 | 6,885 | 34 - 10 |
And he knows exactly who’s to blame.
“I have no idea what’s happening to me right now,” Zverev admitted after his latest defeat. “I’ve been trying to understand it for several months.”
His most recent disappointment came at the Monte-Carlo Masters, where he crashed out early against former Wimbledon finalist Matteo Berrettini. Despite winning the first set comfortably, Zverev couldn’t maintain his level, eventually losing 2-6, 6-3, 7-5.
The match followed a frustrating pattern that’s become all too familiar for the German.
“What was decisive is that I played the first set very well, but once I lost my serve in the second set, I started playing 10 times worse. My ball is very slow, I can’t move anything.”
Passivity has been a recurring issue in Zverev’s game. Critics have long pointed to this tendency as the reason he hasn’t captured a Grand Slam title despite his enormous talent.
“I stopped hitting the ball, and this has been the same story for the past few months,” he said bluntly. “Nothing changes, always the same. So it’s me who lost the match, once again.”
The frustration in his voice was clear as he assessed his performance.
“I thought my level was terrible, but that’s just my opinion.”
What’s particularly troubling for Zverev is that this wasn’t just a one-off bad day. It’s part of a pattern that’s been haunting him across continents.
“If I were to win two or three matches this way, fighting so hard, there wouldn’t be as many questions. But I lost in three sets in Buenos Aires, in three sets in Rio, in three sets in Indian Wells, in three sets in Miami, and in three sets here. I haven’t won a single one, and that’s what matters.”
For a player of Zverev’s caliber — a former world No. 2 and ATP Finals champion — this extended slump is particularly puzzling.
The question now is whether he can find solutions before the clay court season fully heats up, with Roland Garros looming just weeks away.
