Alexander Zverev needs to be more critical of his own form in order to return to his very best, according to former world No.1 Boris Becker.
The 26-year-old is currently ranked 22nd in the world and has won 12 out of 24 matches played so far this season. Zverev’s best performance of 2023 so far was at the Dubai Tennis Championships where he reached the semi-finals before losing to Andrey Rublev. He has also reached the fourth round at Indian Wells and the Madrid Open.
Zverev missed six months of the Tour last year after injuring his ankle during his semi-final clash with Rafael Nadal at the French Open. Since starting his comeback in January, he is yet to defeat a player currently ranked in the world’s top 20.
Speaking about the tennis star on Eurosport Germany’s Das Gelbe vom Ball podcast, Becker says in order for him to return back to the top he must not blame external factors and be more analytical of his own results on the Tour. During his career, Becker won six Grand Slam titles before going on to coach Novak Djokovic after retiring from the sport.
“That’s in the past, and 12 months later, the stark reality is brutal. That’s the sport. He is fit again but can’t manage to match the form he had a year ago. There are many reasons for that,” Becker said on the Das Gelbe vom Ball podcast.
“What is important, and he is always extremely self-critical, is that he realises this, that he is honest with himself and doesn’t blame bad luck, bad fortune, wind or too hot a sun – but the fact that he doesn’t play enough.
“I am sure he will address this in his team and then also train better again. In my opinion, Zverev is not playing tennis properly at the moment.”
Given the current circumstances, Becker believes his compatriot is behind others on the Tour when it comes to contending for major titles. Zverev’s best Grand Slam result occurred at the 2020 US Open where he lost in five sets to Dominic Thiem in the final. He has also reached the last four stage of the French Open twice and Australian Open once.
However, Becker says Zverev is now being overtaken by a younger generation of players which is spearheaded by world No.2 Carlos Alcaraz.
“The focus now is no longer on the big three: Nadal, Djokovic and Federer. Sascha has to look in the rear-view mirror and he is, unfortunately, being a bit overtaken by the younger players. We have talked a lot about Alcaraz, but I also mention Sinner, Rune and Fritz,” he said.
“You have a window in your career in which you have to win the first Grand Slams because the competition never sleeps. With Sascha, that didn’t happen for various reasons.
“He now has to look at why the new generation of players mentioned is so good, what they do better and what is different. Do I have to change or adapt my game?”
This week at the Italian Masters, Zverev is seeded 19th in the draw and will begin his campaign on Saturday against former top-10 player David Goffin.
