Six-time Grand Slam champion Boris Becker believes Alexander Zverev has the next 18 months to achieve his long-awaited major title, as the rise of younger players will make it increasingly difficult.
Zverev has established himself as one of the world's best players since his early days on the ATP Tour. He broke into the top five in 2017 and has finished seven of the last eight seasons ranked inside the top seven, with the exception of 2022, when an injury at Roland Garros sidelined him for much of the year.
Becker warns Zverev about Grand Slam chances
The German’s resume is impressive, boasting two ATP Finals titles, seven Masters 1000 trophies, and five additional finals in the category. He also won Olympic gold at Tokyo 2020 and has accumulated 23 career titles. However, the 27-year-old player remains without a Grand Slam title, having reached two finals and six semifinals.
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His biggest opportunity came at the 2020 US Open, where he was two sets and a break up in the third against Dominic Thiem. However, the Austrian mounted a remarkable comeback to claim his first Grand Slam title, leaving Zverev empty-handed. In 2024 he played his second major final at the French Open, where he lost in straight sets to Carlos Alcaraz.
In a recent appearance on the podcast The Sit-Down with Andrea Petkovic, Becker discussed Zverev's chances of finally winning a major title. “He is now at an age where he has to do it,” said Becker, a two-time Australian Open champion. “For me, Sascha has to win the Grand Slam title he longs for in the next 18 months because otherwise, it will be much more difficult than it is now.”
Becker also suggested that Zverev should consider hiring an additional coach to take his game to the next level, as many of his peers have done. “The father is already very dominant. And the mother is dominant. It’s a family business. They did everything 99 percent right. But that one percent is missing,” Becker said.
Dual coaching setups are becoming increasingly common on the tour. Carlos Alcaraz recently added Samuel Lopez to work alongside Juan Carlos Ferrero, while Jannik Sinner has Darren Cahill and Simone Vagnozzi on his team. Further back, Arthur Fils spent a year with Sergi Bruguera and Sebastien Grosjean, while Hubert Hurkacz recently hired Ivan Lendl and Nicolas Massu.
Cristhián AvilaTennis Journalist
Cristhián Ávila is a tennis journalist based in Santiago, Chile, and has been part of the TennisUpToDate team since early 2023. He covers the ATP and WTA Tours as well as all four Grand Slams, producing breaking news, match reports, analysis, and regular liveblogs from major tournaments.
His reporting combines statistical analysis with clear explanation, helping readers understand tactical developments, player form, and broader storylines across the tour. Working fluently in both Spanish and English, Cristhián collaborates with an international editorial team and contributes to comprehensive global coverage. As part of his work, he has conducted interviews and media interactions with leading figures in the sport, including Caroline Wozniacki and John McEnroe.
In his journalism, Cristhián places strong emphasis on careful sourcing, editorial accuracy, and updating articles promptly when new, verified information becomes available. His coverage is grounded in research, context, and direct engagement with professional tennis.
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