Time for change: Boris Becker urges Alexander Zverev for major shake up in coaching staff after French Open debacle

Boris Becker, one of Germany’s greatest tennis players, has urged his countryman, Alexander Zverev, to change his coaching staff or be ready for a similar fate after his disappointing French Open campaign. The 28-year-old lost to Novak Djokovic in the quarterfinal at the Roland Garros with a score of 4-6, 6-3, 6-2, 6-4.

Becker, who won six Grand Slam titles during his career, spoke to TNT Sports, where he stated that it is now up to Zverev to decide about his coaching staff, including his father and brother, following a series of disappointing results.

"He is the one who decides,” said Becker. “He is the chairman of the board, the CEO. He decides what Team Zverev will look like in the future. His father and brother did an excellent job, but it wasn't good enough for the final step. The question is: What does Sascha want? Is he satisfied with being No. 2 in the world?"

Becker then used the example of legendary Rafael Nadal, who decided to part ways with his uncle Toni Nadal and signed Carlos Moya as his coach towards the latter stages of his career. "If you take a look at Nadal's career," he said. "Toni Nadal was there for a long time, then Carlos Moya or Francisco Roig came along at some point.”

Becker also used the example of Jannik Sinner, who, despite having three successful years with coach Darren Cahill, is set to reshuffle his coaching staff at the end of the season. "How is Sinner doing? There have now been three successful years with Darren Cahill. Now there's a new one coming,” he said. "At some point, you need new noises and a new environment. It's the same in football, as a football coach, you don't normally stay with a club for 10 years."

Zverev’s season has remained a disappointing one. He started it on a high note after finishing as the runner-up at the Australian Open, but since then, things have not gone his way. Wednesday’s defeat against Djokovic was his 10th this year in 37 matches. It was also his fourth defeat in six quarterfinal attempts in 2025.