Alexander Zverev has won Olympic Gold, the ATP Finals, and plenty of Masters 1000 titles, but Grand Slam glory still evades him…
The German star has been a mainstay in the top 10 since breaking through in 2017, winning 24 titles on the ATP Tour.
He is, however, yet to win a Grand Slam, and has now lost three major finals (2020 US Open vs Dominic Thiem, 2024 French Open vs Carlos Alcaraz, and 2025 Australian Open vs Jannik Sinner).
His shortcomings at the Grand Slam level have many concerned, with some questioning whether Zverev will ever get his hands on one of the four biggest trophies in tennis.
Sharing those concerns, former world number one Yevgeny Kafelnikov has now weighed in with his thoughts on Zverev’s tumultuous relationship with Grand Slam tournaments.
Yevgeny Kafelnikov has doubts over Alexander Zverev’s Grand Slam-winning potential
During the latest episode of ‘Hardcourt’, Kafelnikov suggested what may be happening to Zverev at the four majors.
“He has played in three Grand Slam finals. This barrier is very difficult to overcome, because you start to think that you have a monkey on your back,” he said.
“I don’t want to use this example, but Andrey Rublev, how many Grand Slam quarterfinals has he played? Eight, nine times? And not once has he made it through to the semifinal stage.
Andrey Rublev’s Grand Slam quarterfinal record
- 1. 2017 US Open QF [LOSS] vs Rafael Nadal (Three sets)
- 2. 2020 French Open QF [LOSS] vs Stefanos Tsitsipas (Three sets)
- 3. 2020 US Open QF [LOSS] vs Daniil Medvedev (Three sets)
- 4. 2021 Australian Open QF [LOSS] vs Daniil Medvedev (Three sets)
- 5. 2022 French Open QF [LOSS] vs Marin Cilic (Five sets)
- 6. 2022 US Open QF [LOSS] vs Frances Tiafoe (Three sets)
- 7. 2023 Australian Open QF [LOSS] vs Novak Djokovic (Three sets)
- 8. 2023 Wimbledon QF [LOSS] vs Novak Djokovic (Four sets)
- 9. 2023 US Open QF [LOSS] vs Daniil Medvedev (Three sets)
- 10. 2024 Australian Open QF [LOSS] vs Jannik Sinner (Three sets)
“But I, personally, cannot explain why this is happening. I have a bit of doubt that he will ever be able to win a Slam; it’s not given to someone.”
Kafelnikov did, however, suggest that all hope is not lost for Zverev, looking to Goran Ivanisevic for inspiration.
“Although Goran Ivanisevic is a clear example that this can still be done even at 30 years old, as he did at Wimbledon,” he said.
“I want to believe that Sascha will also have such a wonderful day, and he will win, because objectively speaking, when we talk about players in the top 10, we somehow respect players who have won Grand Slams more.”
The Russian was then asked if he believes Zverev is ‘missing’ anything in his game, which would propel him to Grand Slam success.
“I think faith, first of all, faith in yourself,” said Kafelnikov.
“When moments in a tournament or a match happen, whether you want it or not, something subconscious clicks in your head, ‘maybe this is not my day, not my tournament’, and this turns out negatively.”
As his wait for a maiden Grand Slam title goes on, more and more fans have given Zverev the ‘Greatest to never win a major’ moniker.
However, Kafelnikov doesn’t agree, as he still places Zverev below another tennis legend in that debate…
Marcelo Rios is the best player to never win a Grand Slam – Yevgeny Kafelnikov
Kafelnikov still believes that Chile’s Marcelo Rios is the best player to have never won a Grand Slam title.
“[Marcelo] Rios was a phenomenal tennis player with huge talent,” he said.
“I don’t think that anyone, even though Sascha plays great, has the same potential as Marcelo Rios.
“It may be subjective, but that’s my opinion.”
Rios held the number one ranking, but never won a Grand Slam, coming closest in 1998, when he lost the Australian Open final to Petr Korda.
While Zverev has contested more major finals than Rios, he has never been ranked number one in the world, reaching a career-high of second.
Zverev likely won’t be too bothered about Kafelnikov’s ranking, as he desperately wants to win a Grand Slam and remove himself from these discussions.
Only time will tell if the German can win his first major title in 2026, but you certainly won’t want to miss any of the action.
The 2026 Australian Open is scheduled to begin on Monday, January 12.
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