"The Davis Cup is history, not money" - Alexander Zverev makes plea to treasure Davis Cup history and prestige

Alexander Zverev was the only top 10 player to feature at the 2025 Davis Cup Finals. He has again put his country's garments on as he helped Germany qualify for the showpiece event in Bologna with glory on his mind. He has made it a trend of representing his country, defending the Davis Cup as he spoke on his reasons behind competing.

This all came in the wake of his majestic US Open title run. Early exits in Canada and Cincinnati really stumped his progress, and two five-set thrillers to commence his campaign in New York were not the most helpful of events.

Nevertheless, he would blast into the final without dropping another set, capitalising on the number of top names dropping out around him. He disposed of Ben Shelton to double his Grand Slam tally and continue his incredible 2026 campaign.

Most tennis players would then take a well-deserved rest, but not Zverev. He travelled straight back to Germany with his sole focus being competing in front of a home crowd for his country. Added to that, he will then represent Team Europe at the Laver Cup, another regular on his schedule ahead of the Asian swing.

Germany would end up comfortably defeating Croatia 3-1 in Halle, with Zverev winning both of his singles encounters.

The first came in the form of a 6-4, 7-6(3) triumph against Matej Dodig. There was only one break in the entirety of the match, and that is all Zverev needed along with a tiebreak to culminate proceedings. Dino Prizmic kept Croatia's faint hopes alive against Daniel Altmaier before Germany took a massive step to the Finals with a straight sets double victory.

It was all in Zverev's hands to get the job done in front of a home crowd. He did just that in just 75 minutes against Prizmic, defeating the 21-year-old 6-2, 6-4 to confirm their place in the Finals for the third consecutive year on the bounce.

Since the format change in 2019, only once have Germany failed to be in the business end of the tournament, and a large part is down to the class of Zverev. They will be hopeful of winning a fourth Davus Cup title, and the first since 1993.

Zverev backed the decision for him to join up with his fellow countrymen for this tie against Croatia. It was a huge boost for them to have him on the team, boosting their odds of qualifying through the roof.

“I think I can help the team," he said while competing in Halle. "It’s completely different. When you play for Germany, you don’t just play for yourself. There’s a team behind you, your teammates and many people who want us to win.”

The World No.2 has in the past been very scathing of the new Finals format, similar to a number of other tennis players. He was passionate about home and away ties which is how these qualifying contests were played. Germany were at home this time round and relished the home support.

"What we will play in Bologna in a few months has nothing to do with the Davis Cup," Zverev commented, comparing that atmosphere to the one he just experienced. "That atmosphere was the real Davis Cup."

He also took a jab at the organisers, stating the importance of cherishing and prioritising the history and prestige surrounding the Davus Cup, not using it as a tournament to rake in the cash for financial purposes. "Not every tournament has to revolve around money. The Davis Cup is history, not money," he said.

For the time being, this format will be used, and Zverev will have to put up with it. The Davis Cup Finals will be played from November 23-29. This follows the ATP Finals also played in Italy just days before.