Andy Roddick has criticised something he has heard people saying about Alexander Zverev at the Australian Open this year.
Zverev beat Learner Tien to reach his third consecutive Australian Open semifinal, having finished as runner-up in Melbourne last year.
Following his latest win at the Australian Open, Zverev spoke about a mistake he made last year which he is hoping to avoid in 2026.
When reflecting on Zverev’s performances at the Australian Open this year, former world number one Roddick has criticised something he has heard about the world number three.
Andy Roddick calls out what he has heard people saying about Alexander Zverev
Zverev has one of the best serves on the ATP Tour, which he showcased in his match against Tien where he hit 24 aces and did not face a single break of serve.
After beating Tien, Zverev suggested that he may not have won the match without his serve, which is a narrative Roddick claims to have heard before and says he hates.
“Did you see Zverev’s commentary on Tien and the way he is able to play from the baseline?” Roddick said on the ‘Served with Andy Roddick‘ podcast. “He basically said I have not seen someone that good from the baseline for a long time. It’s very exciting.
“But also credit to Sascha. He was like if I didn’t have my serve I would have been in trouble. Well, you do! I hate it when people are like ‘if he didn’t have his serve [he’d be worse].
“Why doesn’t anyone ever say if Learner didn’t have the ability to switch direction any time it would be a lot tougher for him? It’s like, yeah, if we took away everyone’s strength it would be a lot tougher for them. Give me a break. How stupid is that? Bias against servers, I don’t like it!”
Where will Alexander Zverev finish 2026 ranked?
Alexander Zverev vs Carlos Alcaraz Head-to-Head
After progressing to the semifinals in Melbourne, Zverev will now play Carlos Alcaraz, who beat Alex de Minaur in his quarterfinal and is yet to drop a set.
Despite Alcaraz being the favorite as the world number one, his head-to-head against Zverev is actually even at six wins apiece.
Who is going to win the men’s Australian Open title?
Alcaraz won their most recent match at the Cincinnati Open last year, but Zverev leads their head-to-head on hard courts 5-3.
This includes winning their only previous match at the Australian Open, which took place in the 2024 quarterfinals.
| Year | Tournament | Result |
| 2021 | Mexican Open (R32) | Zverev beat Alcaraz, 6-3 6-1 |
| 2021 | Vienna Open (SF) | Zverev beat Alcaraz, 6-3 6-3 |
| 2022 | Madrid Open (F) | Alcaraz beat Zverev, 6-3 6-1 |
| 2022 | Roland Garros (QF) | Zverev beat Alcaraz, 6-4 6-4 4-6 7-6(7) |
| 2023 | Madrid Open (R16) | Alcaraz beat Zverev, 6-1 6-2 |
| 2023 | US Open (QF) | Alcaraz beat Zverev, 6-3 6-2 6-4 |
| 2023 | ATP Finals (RR) | Zverev beat Alcaraz, 6(3)-7 6-3 6-4 |
| 2024 | Australian Open (QF) | Zverev beat Alcaraz, 6-1 6-3 6(2)-7 6-4 |
| 2024 | Indian Wells (QF) | Alcaraz beat Zverev, 6-3 6-1 |
| 2024 | Roland Garros (F) | Alcaraz beat Zverev, 6-3 2-6 5-7 6-1 6-2 |
| 2024 | ATP Finals (RR) | Zverev beat Alcaraz, 7-6(5) 6-4 |
| 2025 | Cincinnati Open (SF) | Alcaraz beat Zverev, 6-4 6-3 |
Zverev will be hoping to reach back-to-back finals at the Australian Open when he takes on Alcaraz on Friday, January 30.
While Alcaraz is continuing his bid for the Career Slam, with the Spaniard just two wins away from making tennis history.
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