Alexander Zverev is looking to win an elusive maiden Grand Slam title at the French Open this year.
Zverev beat Flavio Cobolli in his last completed match at the French Open, before his fourth round opponent Tallon Griekspoor retired to award him a place in the quarter-finals.
There were a lot of questions about the 2024 finalist coming into this year’s tournament, with Zverev suffering early losses at clay court tournaments leading up to the French Open.
This is something that former world number one Andy Roddick believes has created a weird narrative around Zverev.
What Leon Smith noticed when Alexander Zverev practiced with Jack Draper ahead of the French Open
When discussing Zverev’s chances at the French Open this year, former semi-finalist Tim Henman has spoken about the narrative surrounding the world number three.
Zverev, who reached the Australian Open final earlier this year, is often called the best player without a major title and Henman believes he will eventually break through.
“There is always some of these players that go under the radar,” Henman said on TNT Sports. “I have been debating for a long time whether he is going to win a Grand Slam, he has been in three Slam finals and I was very strong on him at the end of last year and then was very excited when he got to the Australian Open final.
“He hasn’t done it yet but I believe he will. It’s tough for him when you think [Roger] Federer, [Rafael] Nadal, [Novak] Djokovic and [Andy] Murray when they retire he is the next guy on the rank but [Carlos] Alcaraz and [Jannik] Sinner have overtaken him.
“He has got phenomenal work ethic, I think his serve looks much more reliable. I think it’s a situation where he is going to put himself in the equation and keep knocking on the door, I think it will open for him at some stage.”
One of the other top seeds for the French Open this year is Jack Draper, who has risen up the ranks in 2025.
British Davis Cup captain Leon Smith watched Draper practice with Zverev before the tournament started and was impressed by what he saw from the German.
“I think Zverev is in a good place right now,” said Smith. “I watched him practice with Jack before the tournament started and he was very business-like. Very focused. His groundstrokes looked great. He’s in a good place.”
Seven-time French Open champion Chris Evert then joined the conversation, also being impressed by Zverev when spotting him practice.
However, the former world number one suggested that Zverev needs to be more aggressive during matches.
“I watched him practice too and he cracks the ball in practice,” added Evert. “I am always thinking when I watch him play keep hitting the ball, be more aggressive, cut off the angles. You are a big guy, you should be controlling the point and a lot of times he kind of falls back a bit and gets a bit passive.”
Could Alexander Zverev play Jack Draper at the French Open?
Zverev and Draper are in the same half of the men’s singles draw at the French Open this year, but could only play one another if they both reach the semi-final.
This would likely mean that Draper would have to beat Jannik Sinner to set that match up.
Despite practicing against one another prior to the French Open, Zverev and Draper have never actually played a match against each other.
This could all change if they both reach the semi-finals in Paris, but both players have some obstacles in front of them if they are to make it happen.
After progressing to his fifth consecutive French Open quarter-final, Zverev now awaits the winner of the match between Novak Djokovic and Cameron Norrie.
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