Zverev being 'overtaken by the younger players' according to Becker

Alexander Zverev is being overtaken by much younger guys as he continues to work himself into shape according to Boris Becker who urged him to step up his play.

Zverev looked in great shape last year at this part of the year, especially with the way he played at Roland Garros. He was really strong taking down Alcaraz and taking Nadal to his maximum before injuring himself. Things haven't looked the same for Zverev since then and for Becker it is simply due to time passing and things moving in the sport:

"Tennis changes every 18 months. You always have to improve accordingly. You get the impression that he hasn't improved and the opponents know exactly how they have to play against Sascha in 2023. That is a problem. A year ago, he beat [Carlos] Alcaraz in Paris and was on his way to beating the unbeatable Nadal, and possibly Ruud in the final. Sascha would have become the new No. 1."

Becker continued:

"That's in the past, and 12 months later, the stark reality is brutal. He is fit again but can't manage to match the form he had a year ago. He is honest with himself and doesn't blame bad luck, bad fortune, wind or too hot a sun - but the fact that he doesn't play enough. In my opinion, Zverev is not playing tennis properly at the moment."

And more:

"The focus now is no longer on the big three. Sascha is, unfortunately, being a bit overtaken by the younger players. We have talked a lot about Alcaraz, but I also mention Sinner, Rune and Fritz. He now has to look at why the new generation of players mentioned is so good, what they do better and what is different."