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It is clear what Alexander Zverev must do next if he ever wants to win a Grand Slam tournament

Photo by Nicolò Campo/LightRocket via Getty Images
Photo by Nicolò Campo/LightRocket via Getty Images
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At 28, Alexander Zverev has yet to win a major title, despite playing three Grand Slam finals.

The German star has been a mainstay in the top five since breaking through almost a decade ago, but he still hasn’t won a Grand Slam.

When Zverev lost to Jannik Sinner at the ATP Finals recently, suffering his third defeat to the Italian in three weeks, it became clear that something needs to change if he wants to win a major.

Alexander Zverev reacts during his defeat to Jannik Sinner at the 2025 ATP Finals
Photo by sportinfoto/DeFodi Images/DeFodi via Getty Images

As many have suggested, perhaps it’s time for Zverev to look at hiring a new coach, bringing in a fresh pair of eyes alongside his father and brother.

Our readers at The Tennis Gazette certainly think the world number three needs to make a coaching change…

Alexander Zverev should hire a new coach if he wants to win a Grand Slam

When asked if Zverev should hire a new coach, over 90% of our readers said yes.

Should Alexander Zverev get a new coach?

The German worked with Spanish coaching legend Toni Nadal earlier this year, but was unable to convince ‘Uncle Toni’ to join his team on a full-time basis.

Nadal is one of the most successful coaches of all time, guiding his nephew, Rafael Nadal, to 20 of his 22 Grand Slam titles.

Rafael Nadal and Toni Nadal at the ATP Finals in 2017.
Photo by Julian Finney/Getty Images

However, just because hiring Nadal is seemingly off the table, that doesn’t mean Zverev shouldn’t look elsewhere.

Making a coaching change when at a career crossroads can make or break a player’s career.

When Sinner started to stagnate with Ricardo Piatti as his coach, he decided to bring in Australia’s Darren Cahill.

Adding Simone Vagnozzi to the team shortly after, the trio proceeded to win four of the eight available Grand Slams between 2024 and 2025.

If Zverev wants to win Grand Slams of his own, as he says he does, then he too needs to take such a risk.

Tim Henman is frustrated with Alexander Zverev

Actions speak louder than words! Yes he wants to win a Grand Slam… We all want to!

At 28, Zverev is one of the oldest players in the top 10, and there’s an argument to suggest that time is running out for him to win a Grand Slam.

Nobody on the ATP Tour has played more Grand Slam semifinals than Zverev without winning a major, as he continues to fall short during the latter stages of tournaments.

RankNameAgeCountryGrand Slam titlesGrand Slam finalsGrand Slam semifinals
1Carlos Alcaraz22Spain679
2Jannik Sinner24Italy468
3Alexander Zverev28Germany039
4Novak Djokovic28Serbia243753
5Ben Shelton23USA002
6Taylor Fritz28USA012
7Alex de Minaur26Australia000
8Felix Auger-Aliassime25Canada002
9Lorenzo Musetti23Italy002
10Jack Draper23Great Britain001
Official ATP top 10

If he wants to avoid retiring as the sport’s greatest nearly-man, now is the time for Zverev to bring in a new coach.

Who should Alexander Zverev hire as his new coach?

Several names could be of interest to Zverev, as he looks to take that next step towards Grand Slam glory.

Goran Ivanisevic

The legendary Croat didn’t have the best coaching year of his career, splitting with Elena Rybakina after a few months, before ending things with Stefanos Tsitsipas sooner than anyone expected.

However, with all that being said, he could be the perfect fit for Zverev.

Ivanisevic lost his first three Grand Slam finals before finally getting over the line to win Wimbledon in 2001, aged 29.

With Zverev’s career mirroring Ivanisevic’s to some degree, there’s no doubt he could provide some words of wisdom to the world number three.

Tim Henman

After Zverev lost to Sinner at the ATP Finals, Tim Henman had some harsh words for the 28-year-old, suggesting that the German isn’t maximising his potential.

A long-time defender of Zverev, Henman worked with the three-time Grand Slam runner-up at the Laver Cup this year, and clearly highlighted areas of his game that need improving.

Tim Henman and Alexander Zverev train together at the 2025 Laver Cup
Photo by Ezra Shaw/Getty Images for Laver Cup

If Henman could be convinced to give up some of his media work, then he may be just the man Zverev needs.

It remains to be seen if either Ivanisevic or Henman would be interested in the role, but they would certainly make for interesting partnerships.

For now, Zverev must focus on his final round-robin match in Turin, where he will play Felix Auger-Aliassime for a spot in the ATP Finals semifinals on Friday, November 14.