LIVE
...

Follow us on

News

Alexander Zverev pinpoints the moment his season turned around after ‘struggling’ for months

Photo by OSCAR DEL POZO/AFP via Getty Images
Photo by OSCAR DEL POZO/AFP via Getty Images
Follow us on Google Discover

Alexander Zverev had struggled to find form on the ATP Tour for several months before transitioning to clay courts.

Beginning the year strongly, Zverev reached his maiden Australian Open final, falling to defeat against Jannik Sinner, 3-6, 6-7, 3-6.

Sinner was then banned from tennis, gifting the German a golden opportunity to become world number one for the first time.

2025 Australian Open Men's Champion Media Opportunity
Photo by Kelly Defina/Getty Images

Unable to take advantage, Zverev failed to win any of his next six tournaments, despite entering them all as the number one seed.

It was at his seventh tournament that the ATP’s number two-ranked player returned to winning ways, as he now picks out the match that helped him turn his fortunes around.

Alexander Zverev says his win over Tallon Griekspoor in Munich was a ‘turnaround’ point for his 2025 season

Following his second-round win at the Madrid Open, Zverev picked out the moment where he thinks his 2025 season turned around.

Mutua Madrid Open - Day Four
Photo by Alberto Gardin/Eurasia Sport Images/Getty Images

“I was struggling the weeks before that, I really needed the win in Munich,” he said.

“I really needed the match against [Tallon] Griekspoor there, that was actually a bit of a turnaround point for me.

“Yeah, winning tournaments always gives you confidence, I needed that.”

Zverev had lost to Tallon Griekspoor at Indian Wells earlier in the year, but exacted his revenge on the Dutch star in Munich, as he booked his place in the semi-finals.

The 28-year-old went on to beat Fabian Marozsan and Ben Shelton, to lift the title in Munich for a third time.

RoundOpponentScore
FBen Shelton6-2, 6-4
SFFabian Marozsan7-6, 6-3
QFTallon Griekspoor6-7, 7-6, 6-4
2RDaniel Altmaier6-3, 6-2
1RAlexandre Muller6-4, 6-1
Alexander Zverev’s route to the title in Munich
BMW Open 2025 - Day 9
Photo by Alexander Hassenstein/Getty Images for BMW

Alexander Zverev ‘hopes’ to maintain impressive Madrid Open record on his ‘favorite’ court

Zverev beat home-favorite Roberto Bautista Agut in his opening match at the 2025 Madrid Open, 6-2, 6-2.

The world number two assessed his performance during his post-match interview.

“Good match, all in all, I knew I had to focus against Roberto [Bautista Agut], he’s an incredible player, [former] top ten in the world,” said Zverev.

“I knew it was going to be a tough challenge, and I’m very happy with today.”

Zverev went on to say just how much he enjoys playing in the Spanish capital.

“I would say this is my favorite Centre Court in the entire world,” he said.

Mutua Madrid Open - Day Four
Photo by Alberto Gardin/Eurasia Sport Images/Getty Images

“I only lost twice in my entire life here, so I hope that stays that way throughout the next ten days, and I can continue playing good tennis, and as long as I do that, I’m happy.

“I’m looking forward to the next ten days here.”

Zverev has lost just five total matches at the Madrid Open throughout his career, his most successful Masters 1000 tournament.

TournamentWin %Win-Loss recordBest resultMost recent result
Indian Wells5913-9QF2025 – Lost in 2R
Miami Open6619-10F2025 – Lost in 4R
Monte-Carlo Masters6114-9SF2025 – Lost in 2R
Madrid Open8324-5W (2018, 2021)2024 – Lost in 4R
Italian Open8024-6W (2017, 2024)2024 – Winner
Canadian Open7112-5W (2017)2024 – Lost in QF
Cincinnati Open6012-8W (2021)2024 – Lost in SF
Shanghai Masters6712-6F2024 – Lost in 4R
Paris Masters7417-6W (2024)2024 – Winner
Alexander Zverev’s record at Masters 1000 tournaments

Alexander Zverev’s potential route to the 2025 Madrid Open title

The German star will hope to extend his impressive record at this year’s tournament, but who stands between him and a third Madrid Open title?

Zverev could face a tough test against the last remaining Spaniard in the competition should he face off against Alejandro Davidovich Fokina in the third round.

Argentina’s Francisco Cerundolo and defending Madrid Open champion Andrey Rublev could also prove difficult for the 28-year-old if he were to make a deep run at the tournament.

Andrey Rublev posing with the Madrid Open trophy after winning the 2024 title.
Photo by Burak Akbulut/Anadolu via Getty Images

A 14th career meeting with Serbia’s Novak Djokovic could be waiting for him in the final, although he won’t want to get too far ahead of himself.

Zverev will first focus on taking on either Davidovich Fokina or Nuno Borges in the third round of the Madrid Open on Sunday, April 27.