Andy Roddick has come to the defence of the world number three, who has been subject to criticism recently.
Alexander Zverev suffered a disappointing group stage exit at the ATP Finals, losing to Felix Auger-Aliassime and Jannik Sinner in straight sets.
The German hasn’t enjoyed the best year of his career in 2025, winning just one title, at the ATP 250 level in Munich.
He has been criticized for his performances as a result, although former world number one Roddick doesn’t believe the comments have been fair.
Speaking out in defence of Zverev, Roddick says he’s ‘sick’ of hearing fans and pundits disrespect the 28-year-old.
Andy Roddick says the disrespect towards Alexander Zverev is ‘offensive’ to all tennis players
During the latest episode of ‘Served with Andy Roddick’, the American gave his verdict on the current discourse surrounding Zverev.
“I’m kind of sick, look, you might not be a fan of Sascha [Zverev] for reasons, and things that have happened off court, but there have been people on different podcasts, who are treating him like he’s not a great player, and that p—– me off,” said Roddick.
“24 titles, he’s made World Tour Finals, every year he hasn’t been hurt for the last nine years.
Alexander Zverev’s record at the ATP Finals
| Year | Performance |
| 2025 | Eliminated in RR (1-2, third in Group) |
| 2024 | Lost in SF to Jannik Sinner |
| 2023 | Eliminated in RR (2-1, third in Group) |
| 2022 | Did not qualify |
| 2021 | Winner |
| 2020 | Eliminated in RR (1-2, third in Group) |
| 2019 | Lost in SF to Dominic Thiem |
| 2018 | Winner |
| 2017 | Eliminated in RR (1-2, third in Group) |
“Because Carlos [Alcaraz] and Jannik [Sinner] are so good, I don’t want to ever get to the place where anyone who’s not them is treated like a piece of s—, that’s ridiculous.”
Appearing as a guest on the show, Chris Eubanks shared what he’d heard said about Zverev on a podcast recently.
“I saw a clip of a pod. I’m not going to say who it was, but I’m going to quote it. ‘I just don’t know what he does, he’s just not that good,’ he said.
“What are you talking about? The guy is 6ft 7. Usually serves around 75-80% first serves, averaging 135mph, and has one of the best backhands we’ve ever seen.
“His movement is incredible.
“Sure, you can critique his tendencies to be a bit more passive, and not be aggressive and force the issue, sure, now we’re talking tennis, but to sit and unequivocally say, ‘He’s not that good’, does not make logical tennis sense.
“Now it feels like you’re letting your feelings about him off the court, cloud what you see on the court.
“There’s no way you can watch him and think he’s not that good. His track record speaks for itself.”
Roddick reinforced Eubanks’ point, reflecting on some of Zverev’s biggest achievements in tennis.
“Let’s just be very simple about this. Is he squeezing too tightly because he wants a major so badly? Probably, sure,” he said.
Will Alexander Zverev ever win a Grand Slam title?
“Does that mean he’s not a great tennis player? Does that mean we take away from the volume statistics of his career? He’s won Olympic gold, won Tour Finals.
“Would he tell you that he was nervous and might have choked away a Grand Slam at the US Open? I’m guessing that he will probably tell you yes at some point in his life.
“But he’s been there for a decade. To say he’s not that good is offensive to every tennis player on the planet, in my opinion.”
Roddick and Eubanks may both have a point, but there is concern for Zverev that he is falling further behind the world number one and two…
Alexander Zverev is +6,000 points behind Carlos Alcaraz and Jannik Sinner
The world number three trails Sinner and Alcaraz by over 6,000 points as the 2025 season draws to a close.
- 1. Carlos Alcaraz – 12,050 points
- 2. Jannik Sinner – 11,500 points
- 3. Alexander Zverev – 5,160 points
- 4. Novak Djokovic – 4,830 points
- 5. Felix Auger-Aliassime – 4,245 points
- 6. Taylor Fritz – 4,135 points
- 7. Alex de Minaur – 4,135 points
- 8. Lorenzo Musetti – 4,040 points
- 9. Ben Shelton – 3,970 points
- 10. Jack Draper – 2,990 points
Going into 2026, Zverev has 1,300 points to defend from his run to the Australian Open final.
If Zverev were to suffer an early exit in Melbourne, he could quickly find himself in the lower reaches of the top 10.
Only time will tell if the German can maintain his ranking next year, but you certainly won’t want to miss any of the action when the 2026 Australian Open begins on Monday, January 12.
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