Boris Becker says what his relationship with Alexander Zverev is really like after coaching him recently

Follow us on Google Discover

Alexander Zverev had struggled for form over recent months but returned to winning ways in Munich.

The world number two couldn’t capitalise on Jannik Sinner’s ban from tennis, failing to win any of his first seven tournaments in 2025, despite entering six of them as the number one seed.

Bouncing back in Munich, Zverev beat Ben Shelton, 6-2, 6-4, to lift the title in front of his home fans.

The German carried that momentum through to Madrid, as Zverev took down Roberto Bautista Agut in his opener, dropping just four games.

One of Zverev’s countryman was delighted to see him return to winning ways, and now reveals what their relationship is really like.

Boris Becker says Alexander Zverev can call him ‘day and night’ but reveals he won’t become his coach

Speaking on the Becker Petkovic podcast, former world number one Boris Becker shared his thoughts on his fellow German.

“Sascha [Zverev] is a bit like a sports foster son,” he said.

“We are actually in regular exchange, he can call me day and night if he has a question, and then maybe I can answer them on the phone, or I can come to the training live.

“But what these conversations involve, you have to understand, that’s private.”

Becker worked with the world number two earlier this month in the principality, as Zverev lost to Matteo Berrettini in the second round of the Monte-Carlo Masters.

The 57-year-old shared how he felt working alongside Zverev in training before the first clay-court Masters event of the year.

“I was not only allowed to observe and accompany him in Monte Carlo during training, but also after the beautiful tournament, because I was in Monte Carlo for three days. No one noticed that,” said Becker.

“I know almost everything about his strengths and weaknesses. This is also important, because otherwise I can’t help him.

“I just wanted to give him a bit of my wealth of experience, already in February and now in Monte Carlo.”

Becker did, however, shut down any suggestions of him joining Zverev’s team on a full-time basis.

“I won’t be a coach. That will always remain his father,” he said.

The six-time Grand Slam winner hopes to see Zverev win his first Major title in 2025, and says it would be a big moment for German tennis.

“He is now emotionally in a very exciting phase, because he wants to achieve something he has never achieved before,” said Becker.

“That means Grand Slam victory, and that of course also means the number one in the world.

“I’m quite familiar with it, because I’ve been both as a coach and as a player. 

“If he wins this title and reaches the sport Mount Everest, then not only will Zverev win, but also Tennis Germany.

“Then we win and then we all get something out of it, and that is my endeavour.”

Zverev has played in three Grand Slam finals during his career to date, coming up short on all three occasions.

• 2025 Australian Open F – Alexander Zverev lost to Jannik Sinner, 6-7, 3-6, 6-7
• 2024 French Open F – Alexander Zverev lost to Carlos Alcaraz, 3-6, 6-2, 7-5, 1-6, 2-6
• 2020 US Open F – Alexander Zverev lost to Dominic Thiem, 6-2, 6-4, 4-6, 3-6, 6-7

The 28-year-old will no doubt hope to finally get over the line and win his first Major title later this year.

Boris Becker says Alexander Zverev knows he made a scheduling ‘mistake’ earlier this year

For the first time in his career, Zverev chose to play the clay ‘Golden swing’ tournaments this year.

The decision proved costly, as the German failed to reach the semi-finals of either the Argentina Open or the Rio Open.

Becker thinks Zverev made an error traveling to South America and says the German would agree.

“I think maybe [he made] a mistake in tournament planning. He doesn’t have to do South America anymore,” he said.

“Then the trip from Rio to Acapulco, Mexico. How does that work anyway? Does he have to play the next day?

“So he made mistakes, he knows that.”

After winning in Munich, Becker does, however, believe Zverev has turned a corner and is now looking forward to the next few months on the ATP Tour.

“He has found his old strengths again, he may have improved his game a bit, a little more offensive, looking more to go to the net,” he said.

“That’s why I’m actually happy for the tournaments now in Madrid and Rome, and also the French Open.”

Zverev will return to the court for the third round of the Madrid Open on Sunday, April 27, where he’ll take on home-favorite Alejandro Davidovich Fokina.