Alexander Zverev reacts to breaking Boris Becker record at the Australian Open after beating Tommy Paul

Follow us on Google Discover

Alexander Zverev has reached his third Australian Open semi-final after beating Tommy Paul.

Zverev had never beaten Paul before, but managed to save set points in both the first and second set to get his first victory over the American.

The German also reached the Australian Open semi-finals last year, leading by two sets to love against Daniil Medvedev before being pegged back.

He has also reached two major finals (US Open 2020 and Roland Garros 2024), with Zverev being backed to go one better by Mats Wilander.

While they have a good friendship, Zverev and Paul’s match did have controversy in the second set.

Alexander Zverev reacts to breaking Boris Becker record at Australian Open

As a result of Zverev’s victory over Paul, he has overtaken Boris Becker as the German male with the most Australian Open victories with 30.

The world number two also collected his 106th overall Grand Slam victory and moved ahead of another compatriot in Tommy Haas.

However, Zverev did not seem too taken by the statistic when it was mentioned to him in his post-match press conference and brought up the fact that Becker had won two Australian Open titles.

“I think the big difference in the thing that everybody looks at is Boris Becker lifted this trophy twice,” said Zverev. “I haven’t yet. So that is, I think, way more important than just match wins.

“Of course, I’m happy to be on that list, and I’m happy to be in that conversation of greats in German tennis. But yeah, lifting the trophy is what is on my mind.”

Could Boris Becker coach Alexander Zverev?

Zverev has openly spoken about his bond with Becker before, and in an interview last year clarified that he needs something clearing up for the former world number one to become his coach.

“I love Boris and I also believe that he has an incredible knowledge of tennis,” Zverev told Tennis Magazin. “But I don’t know how he feels about travelling. That’s the only question mark for him.

“As soon as he has solved and clarified that, we can talk about it. We are always in contact with him and often talk to each other. Now for Australia, it will stay as it is and then I will see.”

Zverev is currently coached by his father, Alexander Zverev Senior, but has been captained by Becker before as part of the German ATP Cup team in 2020.

Becker’s most prominent coaching role was with Novak Djokovic between 2013 and 2016, helping the Serbian to win six Grand Slam titles.

More recently Becker coached Holger Rune, but ended their collaboration due to having other responsibilities.