Alexander Zverev is understandably under the microscope at Roland Garros ahead of his quarterfinal with Rafael Jodar.
Zverev is the favorite to win Roland Garros following the exits of Jannik Sinner and Novak Djokovic, while Carlos Alcaraz is absent from the event with injury.
The German is the second seed at the Grand Slam in Paris, where he has dropped just one set in his wins over Benjamin Bonzi, Tomas Machac, Quentin Halys and Jesper de Jong.
Tennis legend John McEnroe has now shared his take on Zverev at Roland Garros, having disagreed with comments he’s heard about the ATP number three.
Who is the best ATP player never to win a Grand Slam title?
Is it Alexander Zverev, Marcelo Rios, Tomas Berdych, David Ferrer or maybe even someone else?
John McEnroe disagrees with Alexander Zverev’s Roland Garros comments
Speaking ahead of the quarterfinal, McEnroe said live on TNT Sports: “No Alcaraz, no Sinner, no Djokovic.
“These guys are definitely the future, and they may to some extent be the present. But nonetheless, it is there for the taking for Sascha.”
He was then asked the question: “Do you feel like the pressure will be taken off? He was asked that again in the press conference?”
McEnroe replied: “Unbelievable pressure on him now.”
And when it was put to McEnroe that Zverev said he doesn’t feel the pressure, the American said: “B.S. Absolute B.S.
“There’s more pressure on him in a way now than any tournament he’s ever played. The pressure’s on more, for sure.
“I mean, are you kidding me? We’ve talked about he’s the best player in men’s history never to win a major.
“And it was like, ‘Oh my God, how could he… he just… he almost beat Carlos, but he didn’t’. Sinner, Djokovic, none of them, he doesn’t have to beat any of them.
“I’m telling you, he’s got to be feeling more pressure, I’m going to say it again, than any time in his entire career.”
Is Alexander Zverev the best men’s player without a Grand Slam title?
There is clearly big pressure on Zverev to come out on top in Paris this year, which would bring an end to his major drought.
With three Grand Slam finals reached and three finals lost, he is very much in the discussion around the best players to never win such a title, both across the men’s and women’s game.
| Result | Year | Tournament | Surface | Opponent | Score |
| Loss | 2020 | US Open | Hard | Dominic Thiem | 6–2, 6–4, 4–6, 3–6, 6–7(6–8) |
| Loss | 2024 | French Open | Clay | Carlos Alcaraz | 3–6, 6–2, 7–5, 1–6, 2–6 |
| Loss | 2025 | Australian Open | Hard | Jannik Sinner | 3–6, 6–7(4–7), 3–6 |
| Win | 2026 | French Open | Clay | Flavio Cobolli | 6–1, 4–6, 6–4, 6–7(5–7), 6–1 |
His trio of near misses on the big stage helps put forward a strong case to be top of that unwanted list on the ATP Tour, along with his 24 titles and career-high rank of two.
All eyes are now on Zverev and whether or not he can get over the line, but the rising stars remaining in his half of the draw – Jodar, Joao Fonseca and Jakub Mensik – will have other plans.
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