Alexander Zverev, world No. 3, fired back at critics questioning his performance, asserting, “Everyone is so incredibly surprised when I win a tennis match these days. But at the end of it, I’m still world number three, there’s only Sinner and Alcaraz in front of me,” per @Welovetennis. Speaking at the Halle Open after his 6-3, 6-6 doubles match with Marcelo Melo, Zverev defended his 2025 season, which includes a 23-12 record, an Australian Open final (lost to Jannik Sinner), a Munich ATP 500 title, and a French Open loss to Zverev himself, per @pavyg. He expressed frustration at being labeled the “worst number two in history” by some, emphasizing his resilience post-injury: “I came back from a very serious injury and managed to get back to number two in the world,” per EssentiallySports.
Season Highlights and Criticism
Zverev’s 2025 season began with a strong Australian Open final, but early exits in Indian Wells (R2 to Tallon Griekspoor), Monte-Carlo (R1), and a Madrid quarter-final loss to Francisco Cerundolo (7-5, 6-3) drew scrutiny, per ATP Tour. Despite winning Munich on his 28th birthday, his clay-court struggles (23-5 record, Rome quarter-final) and a French Open quarter-final loss to Novak Djokovic (4-6, 6-3, 6-2, 6-4) fueled doubts, per ESPN. Boris Becker criticized Zverev’s coaching setup with his father and brother, suggesting it hinders his Grand Slam quest, prompting Zverev to retort, “I still have massive respect for him, but everyone seems to become very smart when things aren’t going well,” per EssentiallySports. Posts on X, like @livetennisit, echoed his defiance: “Zverev responds to critics: ‘People are surprised I win, but I’m still number 3,’” per.
Mental and Tactical Struggles
Zverev admitted to mental burnout post-Australian Open, saying, “I felt mentally burned out,” per Footboom1. His 5-18 record against top-10 players in Grand Slams and losses from winning positions (e.g., up a break in Miami’s third set vs. Arthur Fils) highlight tactical and mental lapses, per ATP Tour. Puntodebreak.com noted his “impotence, frustration, and fear” as younger players like Carlos Alcaraz and Jannik Sinner surge ahead, per Puntodebreak. Yet, Zverev remains optimistic, citing his 24 ATP titles and Rome Masters 1000 defense, per ATP Tour.
Looking Ahead
At Stuttgart, Zverev reached the final but lost to Taylor Fritz (6-3, 7-6(7-0)), his fifth straight defeat to the American, joking, “I’m tired of you,” per BBC Sport. Now in Halle, he aims to build grass-court momentum for Wimbledon (June 30–July 13), where he’s never passed the fourth round, per BBC Sport. His resolve to chase a Grand Slam and world No. 1 persists: “I believe I can do it,” per Footboom1.
