Alexander Zverev’s bleak grand slam reality laid bare after AO loss
World No. 2 Alexander Zverev has fallen short of grand slam glory once again, with his latest loss exposing an ugly truth.
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As the agony of defeat set in for Alexander Zverev, a damning reality was laid bare for the German star.
The world No. 2 was simply no match for the top ranked Jannik Sinner, who dominated his rival 6-3 7-6 (7-4) 6-3 to claim his second straight Australian Open crown.
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For Zverev it’s now the third time he’s made a grand slam final and for the third time, he walked away with the runners up trophy.
At the 2020 US Open, Zverev held a two-sets to love lead before losing to Dominic Thiem. Last year at the French Open he squandered a two-sets to one advantage to Carlos Alcaraz.
On Sunday night it was a completely different story for the 27-year-old. Sinner had every answer and showed he’s a clear level above.
And while there’s no taking away Sinner’s brilliance, the final exposed an ugly truth for Zverev.
The German simply can’t produce when it matters most against fellow stars of the game. His loss to Sinner leaves him with a horrific 1-13 record against top five players at grand slams.
If Zverev was able to climb the mountain, he would have become only the third player born in the 90s to win a grand slam, joining Thiem and Daniil Medvedev.
Instead he looks set to forever be remembered as one of the greatest, if not the greatest, players to never win one.
The reality of it all seemed to hit Zverev like a tonne of bricks on Sunday night as he sat on his bench with his face buried in a towel.
“He’s come so close, he’s achieved almost everything in our great sport,” Matt Eagle said on Stan Sport.
“It’s so hard for him to break through against the very best players and it’s back to the drawing board sadly.
“He’s 27 and the next generation are coming and pretty quickly as well. I think he’s still got a window of 24 months, at least.
“He came ever so close here, let’s hope this pushes him to make some meaningful changes in his game where he has to get better.
“Because if he doesn’t history will suggest that he won’t win a grand slam because these other guys are just that little bit better in these great big moments.”
Speaking on Stan Sport following his straight sets win, Sinner said Zverev was talking in “a negative way”, so the measured 23-year-old did his best to raise his spirits.
“I think we all know the story and history of Sascha in grand slams. He had already tough, tough moments,” Sinner said.
“He was emotional and talked in a negative way and I tried to pick him up. At the end of the day we are colleagues.
“For me it always feels like going to school and instead of taking lessons, we’re just playing tennis. I just want the best for every player.
“I think there’s no other player who deserves a grand slam more.”
Zverev spoke about the ugly moniker that has been attached to him and said the last thing he wants is to fade off into retirement without a grand slam crown in his cabinet.
“I’m just not good enough. It’s as simple as that,” he said.
“I don’t know if I’ll ever be able to lift the trophy. But I’ll keep coming back. I’ll keep trying.
“I don’t want to end my career as the best player to never win a grand slam.”
Sadly things aren’t going to get any easier for the German star, with the likes of Sinner and Alcaraz leading the charge of the new generation.
Not to mention the major case of the yips he seems to suffer whenever he stands across the net from a top five player in a slam.
Zverev now has four months to piece the puzzle together before he gets another chance to secure a maiden slam when the French Open begins.
Originally published as Alexander Zverev’s bleak grand slam reality laid bare after AO loss
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