"You’re cursed": French journalist calls Alexander Zverev’s Grand Slam drought a ‘nightmare’

French journalist Benoit Maylin has spoken about the ‘nightmare’ Alexander Zverev is living after losing in the Australian Open final. The World No. 2 reached his third Grand Slam final but was defeated in straight sets by Jannik Sinner, who claimed his third major title.

Zverev has become one of the most accomplished players yet to win a Grand Slam, with three finals, six additional semifinals, two ATP Finals titles, and seven Masters 1000 trophies.

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"I wouldn’t want to be in Zverev’s place. His head must feel like Hiroshima right now. Because Sascha is no longer the player who lost his first eleven matches against top-10 opponents in Grand Slams."

Maylin described the missed opportunity as a ‘nightmare’ for Zverev, especially given the rise of Alcaraz and Sinner after years of Big-3 dominance.

"He’s also no longer the man who lost his first two Grand Slam finals while leading. His tennis is more solid, and above all, he is mentally stronger," he added. "He believes in himself… but it lasted only half an hour before he was torn apart. What a nightmare! Put yourself in his shoes: he has spent over ten years waiting for Federer, Nadal, and Djokovic to step aside."

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"And now, at 27, in the prime of his physical potential, he has two hungry rivals in Sinner and Alcaraz, who have devoured the last five Grand Slams. It’s enough to make you feel depressed, to destroy you. You’re cursed—you’ll never do it!”

"Then people will remind him that others have won a Grand Slam after losing their first three finals—Lendl, Murray, Agassi… so why not him?"

Zverev will return to competition next week for the Golden Swing in South America, starting at the Argentina Open before heading to Brazil for the Rio Open. He will be the top seed in both clay-court tournaments.

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