The stars of the ATP Tour are preparing for the start of the Australian Open, which begins in just three days time.
Four months after Jannik Sinner won the US Open title, Grand Slam tennis is back, and the possibilities are endless as the tennis world heads to Melbourne.
ATP Tour favorites Sinner and Alcaraz will be looking to achieve big things in Australia, as they look to build on their impressive 2024 campaigns, where they shared the four Major titles.
Ten-time champion Novak Djokovic will be looking to bounce back this year, having lost to the Italian world number one in last year’s semi-finals.
Perhaps it could be time for a Russian winner in Melbourne, as last year’s losing finalist Daniil Medvedev will want to finally get his hands on the trophy.
Or maybe it will be a certain German star, who has recently revealed a ‘deal’ he has with one of tennis’ greatest ever players.
Alexander Zverev says Novak Djokovic agreed a ‘deal’ to coach him for a year when he retires
Speaking in A Night With Novak ahead of the 2025 Australian Open, Alexander Zverev disclosed the details of a deal he has with Djokovic.
“People don’t know this but me and Novak [Djokovic], probably similar to Andy [Murray], we have a deal that once he retires from tennis he is going to coach me for a year as well,” he said.
“He just wants to postpone this until I retire so he doesn’t have to do that.”
Djokovic will be coached by Andy Murray at this year’s Australian Open, as the two former rivals join forces in Melbourne.
Zverev was then asked how he would feel picking up a maiden Grand Slam title, at the 2025 Australian Open.
“If I could be very honest at this stage I couldn’t care less where it happens any more,” he said.
“I just want it to happen, I have been close on a few occasions.
“I felt like I was a point away from making the finals here last year.
“I was a set away at Roland Garros, I was two points away at the US Open.
“I could go on but I have never quite got it over the line.
“Hopefully I can manage this year and do it this year.”
Zverev lost in last year’s Australian Open semi-finals to Medvedev, having led by two sets to love.
How close has Alexander Zverev been to winning a Grand Slam?
Zverev mentioned several occasions where he was close to picking up a Major title, but just how many times has he made a deep run at a Slam without winning?
| Tournament | Round lost in | Opponent | Score |
| 2024 French Open | F | Carlos Alcaraz | Lost in five sets |
| 2020 US Open | F | Dominic Thiem | Lost in five sets |
| 2024 Australian Open | SF | Daniil Medvedev | Lost in five sets |
| 2023 French Open | SF | Casper Ruud | Lost in three sets |
| 2022 French Open | SF | Rafael Nadal | Lost (RET) |
| 2021 US Open | SF | Novak Djokovic | Lost in five sets |
| 2021 French Open | SF | Stefanos Tsitsipas | Lost in five sets |
| 2024 US Open | QF | Taylor Fritz | Lost in four sets |
| 2023 US Open | QF | Carlos Alcaraz | Lost in three sets |
| 2021 Australian Open | QF | Novak Djokovic | Lost in four sets |
| 2019 French Open | QF | Novak Djokovic | Lost in three sets |
| 2018 French Open | QF | Dominic Thiem | Lost in three sets |
The German has now reached five quarter-finals, five semi-finals, and two Grand Slam finals, coming up short in five sets, a remarkable five times.
Results such as these have seen Zverev become recognized as the ‘best’ player to never win a Slam, having reached the latter stages on many different occasions.
The closest he came to bringing home the trophy was at the 2020 US Open when he was just two points away from victory against now-retired star Dominic Thiem.
The German held a two-set lead, but let it slip, before missing opportunities in the fifth set tiebreaker, as he was forced to settle for the runner-up trophy.
After years of heartbreak, Zverev will be hoping to finally win a maiden Grand Slam title at the Australian Open which begins on January 12.
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