Boris Becker is convinced he knows Alexander Zverev’s big problem after his disappointing start to 2025

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Alexander Zverev has struggled to pick up wins on the ATP Tour recently, despite entering his last five tournaments as the number one seed.

With Jannik Sinner banned from tennis for three months, expectations were high for the world number two, who had lost to the Italian in this year’s Australian Open final.

He hasn’t reached an ATP Tour semi-final since, losing early in Argentina, Mexico, and Indian Wells.

Zverev’s defeat to Tallon Griekspoor at Indian Wells was a low point, as he lost a three-set thriller against the world number 37, 6-4, 6-7, 6-7.

Following Zverev’s most recent defeat in Miami, his fellow countryman has shared his thoughts on the main problem the 27-year-old is currently facing.

Boris Becker says Alexander Zverev’s lack of ‘self-confidence’ is his biggest problem

Speaking on the Becker Petkovic podcast, former six-time Major champion Boris Becker highlighted the biggest issue Zverev is dealing with.

“I always start with it, with the mental attitude, he is not as convinced of himself at the moment as he was in Melbourne or as he was at the end of last year,” he said.

“Can you train something like that?

“I know in Florida, there are the best training centres for forehand and backhand, for fitness, but is there also a school for mentality, for self-confidence, for inner peace, for inner faith?

“I don’t think so, and that’s something where I think a little that he just has to look there, who can take him further, who can help him there, because ultimately for me that is the difference between victory and defeat with him at the moment.”

Becker did, however, notice improvements in Zverev’s game between the two Sunshine Double tournaments.

“I think Miami was better,” he said.

“I was a little worried that between Indian Wells and Miami, he would take refuge somewhere in the desert and take a break.

“But he probably went to Florida to his second home, then trained even more, which I can’t even imagine, and really played better against Jordan Thompson and Co.”

The German then looked closer at Zverev’s recent defeats, noticing a concerning pattern.

“He plays against Arthur Fils, he has already lost to him in Hamburg, that can happen, this Frenchman, 20 years young, so extremely strong,” said Becker.

“But he had a break in the third and then lost. With serve, with a break in the third, you are actually on the winning track.

“He had a break in the third against the Argentine [Francisco] Comesana in Rio. 

“He served against [Tallon] Griekspoor in Indian Wells for the match.

“He has now lost with a break in the third again, so that has nothing to do with the forehand or the fitness.”

Andrea Petkovic praises Alexander Zverev’s work ethic after watching him train in Miami

Becker’s podcast co-host, Andrea Petkovic, gave her honest opinion on Zverev, having seen him up close in Miami.

“I watched him very closely in Miami, and he did what he always does and what he always does so well and what he really built this incredibly great career on, hard work,” she said.

“He not only trained at home in Florida, but he came to Miami, and he was registered on all the training grounds that existed.

“Every time I looked at the training schedule, he was in 3rd, 7th, and 18th place, Zverev, 4 hours here, 3 hours there.

“You just have to give it to him, he’s a damn hard worker.”

Zverev will no doubt hope his hard work pays off as he looks to close the gap to world number one Sinner at the top of the rankings.

The German still trails by over 2,000 points, having failed to make inroads during Sinner’s suspension.

Zverev will make his return to action in Monte-Carlo next week when the tournament begins on April 7.