Steve Johnson admits what he got wrong about Alexander Zverev after his ‘flat’ performances since losing in the Australian Open final

Alexander Zverev Struggles to Regain Form After Australian Open Final Defeat

Since his heartbreaking loss to Jannik Sinner in the Australian Open final, Alexander Zverev has struggled to regain momentum. The German star, who has now lost three consecutive Grand Slam finals—including the 2020 US Open and 2024 Roland Garros—has faced difficulties finding his rhythm on tour.

In an effort to shake things up, Zverev opted to compete in the South American clay-court swing for the first time. However, the change in schedule did not yield the desired results. His dip in form continued at Indian Wells, where he suffered an opening-round loss, setting an unwanted record as the top seed.

Steve Johnson Admits Misjudging Zverev’s Post-Australian Open Form

Despite being the tournament favorite, Zverev fell to Tallon Griekspoor in Indian Wells, further delaying his pursuit of the absent world No. 1, Jannik Sinner. Since his Australian Open defeat, Zverev has won only four of his last eight matches across Buenos Aires, Rio de Janeiro, Acapulco, and Indian Wells.

Former ATP pro Steve Johnson admitted on the Nothing Major Podcast that he had expected Zverev to bounce back more quickly.

“I didn’t see this coming,” Johnson confessed. “After he lost in Australia and made those comments about not being ready to win a Major, I thought he’d be fine. I even predicted he’d perform well at Indian Wells and Miami, with the real focus being the French Open. But I was wrong.”

Johnson pointed out that Zverev appears flat and lacking his usual spark, reverting to a more passive style of play rather than the aggressive approach he displayed late last year.

“I don’t know if it’s the mental toll of losing the Australian Open final or the pressure of being the No. 1 seed in a Masters event with Sinner out,” Johnson added. “But right now, he hasn’t figured it out. Still, I think this is just a bump in the road—there’s better tennis ahead for him.”

Jack Sock’s Advice for Zverev: “Look Back at What Worked”

Former top-10 player Jack Sock weighed in, offering his own advice on how Zverev can rediscover his best form ahead of the Miami Open.

“We all put in hours on the practice court, but sometimes the key is mental,” Sock said. “When I struggled, I’d go back and watch matches where I played well—remind myself of what I was doing right and visualize bringing that back on court.”

He emphasized that at Zverev’s level, it’s not about fixing strokes but regaining confidence.

“There’s only so much you can do on the practice court. At this point in your career, it’s about belief. Watching past highlights can help remind you that you’ve been there before, and you can do it again.”

Miami Open Offers a Chance for Redemption

Zverev will now shift his focus to the Miami Open, where he will again be the top seed. The event has been a favorable one for him in the past, with his best result coming in 2017 when he reached the final.

The ATP main draw kicks off on Wednesday, March 19, giving Zverev another opportunity to put his recent struggles behind him.