Rennae Stubbs, former coach of Serena Williams and a former doubles world No. 1, delivered a scathing critique of Alexander Zverev following his 7-6(1), 6-4 quarter-final loss to Lorenzo Musetti at the 2025 Italian Open. Speaking on the Rennae Stubbs Tennis Podcast, Stubbs lambasted Zverev for blaming the “joke” tennis balls for his defeat, warning that his mindset and on-court approach could prevent him from ever winning a Grand Slam, per www.tennis365.com.[](https://www.tennis365.com/tennis-news/alexander-zverev-told-will-never-win-grand-slam-title-former-world-no-1)
Stubbs’ Harsh Critique
Stubbs took issue with Zverev’s complaints about the balls being “very big” and “very slow,” which he claimed made it hard to hit winners against Musetti’s defensive style. “No man, your forehand – you are a bigger pusher [than Musetti] on that shot,” Stubbs said, criticizing his reluctance to attack Musetti’s slices due to his grip and height (6’6”). She added, “You can’t get underneath it and you are a py when you don’t go for it. That is why you are never going to be a great player… you are never going to win a Grand Slam if you’re going to complain about the balls,”* per www.tennis365.com. Stubbs contrasted Zverev with Rafael Nadal, Roger Federer, and Novak Djokovic, who rarely make excuses, per www.tennis365.com. Posts on X, like @tennis365com and @TennisInfinity1, amplified her remarks, with the latter quoting her blunt assessment, per @TennisInfinity1.
Zverev’s 2025 Season and Context
Zverev, ranked world No. 3, has reached three Grand Slam finals (2020 US Open, 2024 French Open, 2025 Australian Open) but remains without a title, losing to Jannik Sinner in Melbourne (3-6, 6-7(4), 3-6), per www.sportskeeda.com. His 2025 season included a Rome Masters title and a Munich ATP 500 win, but early exits in Monte-Carlo, Madrid, and Rome exposed inconsistencies, per www.sportskeeda.com. Zverev’s post-match frustration in Rome, where he called the balls “impossible to play with,” drew further criticism from Serena Williams’ former coach Rick Macci, who wrote on X, “Greatness does not make excuses, they excuse opponents,” per www.essentiallysports.com.[](https://www.sportskeeda.com/tennis/news-alexander-zverev-lacks-taking-risk-serena-williams-ex-coach-gives-verdict-german-s-australian-open-loss-jannik-sinner)[](https://www.sportskeeda.com/tennis/news-serena-williams-ex-coach-rennae-stubbs-defends-alexander-zverev-slams-italian-open-interviewer-instead-ridiculous-question)[](https://www.essentiallysports.com/atp-tennis-news-greatness-does-not-make-excuses-alexander-zverev-brutally-called-out-by-serena-williams-ex-coach-after-crashing-loss-at-rome/)
Broader Criticism and Zverev’s Response
Stubbs has previously criticized Zverev, notably calling him undeserving of his No. 2 ranking in April 2025, favoring Carlos Alcaraz, per www.sportskeeda.com. She also questioned his clutch performance, stating in 2024, “Zverev chokes when it really counts,” predicting he wouldn’t win the French Open, per www.sportskeeda.com. Patrick Mouratoglou, another ex-coach of Williams, echoed concerns, noting Zverev’s lack of risk-taking in big moments during his Australian Open final loss, per www.sportskeeda.com. Zverev, however, defended his Rome performance, arguing the balls differed from those in Monaco, Madrid, and Munich, and emphasized players’ ongoing concerns, per www.thetennisgazette.com.[](https://www.sportskeeda.com/tennis/news-serena-williams-ex-coach-rennae-stubbs-explains-alexander-zverev-world-no-2)[](https://www.sportskeeda.com/tennis/news-alexander-zverev-chokes-really-counts-serena-williams-ex-coach-rules-german-french-open-2024-title-favorite)[](https://www.sportskeeda.com/tennis/news-alexander-zverev-lacks-taking-risk-serena-williams-ex-coach-gives-verdict-german-s-australian-open-loss-jannik-sinner)
Connection to Other Sports Narratives
Zverev’s scrutiny parallels Jack Grealish’s career crossroads at Manchester City, where high expectations clash with inconsistent output, per www.manchestereveningnews.co.uk. Like Emma Raducanu, whom Mark Petchey urged to adapt to a tougher field, Zverev faces pressure to evolve, per www.express.co.uk. His mental approach, criticized by Stubbs, contrasts with Gerwyn Price’s resilience against Luke Littler, per www.gbnews.com, and mirrors Carlos Alcaraz’s respect for veterans like Richard Gasquet, per @TennisActu.
Conclusion
Rennae Stubbs brutally warned Alexander Zverev that his excuse-making, particularly over “joke” balls in Rome, could cost him a Grand Slam, slamming his forehand and risk-averse play, per www.tennis365.com. Backed by Rick Macci and Patrick Mouratoglou, her critique highlights Zverev’s struggles in big moments, despite a strong 2025, per www.sportskeeda.com. As Zverev faces Learner Tien in the French Open first round on May 29, 2025, his ability to heed such warnings will be tested, per www.tennis365.com. Like Grealish, Raducanu, Price, and Alcaraz, Zverev’s response to criticism will shape his legacy. Watch live on TNT Sports, per www.tntsports.co.uk.[](https://www.tennis365.com/tennis-news/alexander-zverev-told-will-never-win-grand-slam-title-former-world-no-1)[](https://www.essentiallysports.com/atp-tennis-news-greatness-does-not-make-excuses-alexander-zverev-brutally-called-out-by-serena-williams-ex-coach-after-crashing-loss-at-rome/)[](https://www.sportskeeda.com/tennis/news-alexander-zverev-lacks-taking-risk-serena-williams-ex-coach-gives-verdict-german-s-australian-open-loss-jannik-sinner)
