Alexander Zverev’s bid to win an elusive Grand Slam title has been put on hold once again after being beaten by Novak Djokovic.
Zverev had an interesting narrative around him heading into the French Open this year, after suffering early losses in Monte Carlo and Hamburg.
However, the German appeared to be finding his form in Paris and actually led Djokovic by a set in their quarter-final match.
The 2024 French Open runner-up was unable to continue his momentum, with Djokovic beating Zverev in four sets to confirm his exit from the clay court major.
Rennae Stubbs tells Alexander Zverev his problem at Grand Slams is obvious
After Djokovic defeated Zverev, 4-6 6-3 6-2 6-4, former world number one doubles player Rennae Stubbs had her say on the match.
Zverev lost in the Australian Open final to Jannik Sinner earlier this year, and Stubbs believes that the world number three is ‘way too passive’ in the biggest matches.
Stubbs wrote on X (formerly known as Twitter), “Zverev is just way too passive when he needs to be. Novak, Sinner and or [Carlos] Alcaraz aren’t going to give it to you.
“You have to take it and he’s not a player that clearly wants to do that. I guess his “dream” of winning the French this year was really a nightmare.”
During the fourth set of the match, Zverev was attempting to break Djokovic back and had an opportunity at 3-2 30-40.
The break point was the longest point of the match, but Zverev was unable to capitalise on the rally of 41 shots and Djokovic went onto hold serve.
Echoing her previous sentiment, Stubbs criticised Zverev for not taking advantage of the overhead chances he had during that point.
The Australian wrote, “What a point! 41 shots but damn I tell you, Zverev has to absolutely put those balls away. Done now!”
What is next for Alexander Zverev?
Zverev will now drop 900 ranking points following his quarter-final exit from the French Open.
The 28-year-old will now switch his attention to the grass court season, which has traditionally not been a happy hunting ground for Zverev.
Zverev has never won a grass court title, and Wimbledon is by far his worst performing major tournament.
The three-time Grand Slam finalist has never surpassed the fourth round of the grass court major, with Zverev losing to Taylor Fritz in the fourth round of Wimbledon in 2024.
Zverev will have a short turnaround from his defeat to Djokovic, as he is now scheduled to head to Stuttgart for the ATP 250 tournament.
He will then play another grass court tournament in Germany at the Halle Open before heading to Wimbledon.
Receive exclusive tennis news and updates twice a week to your mailbox
