Alexander Zverev says what he does better than both Carlos Alcaraz and Jannik Sinner on a tennis court
Alexander Zverev Fails to Capitalize on Jannik Sinner’s Absence, Admits Key Weakness in His Game
Alexander Zverev has struggled to take advantage of Jannik Sinner’s suspension, missing a major opportunity to close the gap at the top of the ATP rankings. Since his Australian Open final defeat to Sinner, the German has failed to find consistency, winning only four of his last eight matches. His early exit at Indian Wells, following a loss to Tallon Griekspoor, highlighted his ongoing struggles.
Zverev’s Serve vs. Sinner & Alcaraz
Despite his recent dip in form, Zverev remains confident in one aspect of his game—his serve. Speaking on his podcast with brother Mischa Zverev, the world No. 2 claimed that his serve is stronger than both Sinner’s and Carlos Alcaraz’s.
“I think there are certain shots in my game I still need to improve,” Zverev admitted. “I serve better than both of them, probably, but I’m 6’6. Carlos can’t just grow six more inches. But there are other things they do better that I need to improve.”
However, his short high forehands remain a glaring weakness. Unlike Sinner and Alcaraz, who can finish points with authority when given a high ball, Zverev often allows rallies to continue.
“When they get a high short ball, the point is over 95% of the time,” Zverev noted. “With me, the point continues.”
Jim Courier Weighs In on Zverev’s Forehand Struggles
Former world No. 1 Jim Courier, who was a guest on Zverev’s podcast, pointed out a similar flaw in Stan Wawrinka’s game before his breakthrough. Under Magnus Norman’s coaching, Wawrinka transformed his forehand from a liability into a weapon.
“A couple of years later, after Magnus convinced him to commit anytime the ball was short or in his strike zone, he was a different player,” Courier explained. “Not only did he start to scare opponents, but he also started to trust it.”
Zverev’s Service Stats vs. Sinner & Alcaraz
While Zverev’s claim about his serve is backed by ATP service ratings, his second serve remains a weakness compared to Sinner and Alcaraz.
| Service Stats | Zverev | Sinner | Alcaraz |
|---|---|---|---|
| First Serve % | 70.1 (1st) | 61.1 (3rd) | 66.7 (2nd) |
| First Serve Win % | 76.9 (2nd) | 79.8 (1st) | 73.4 (3rd) |
| Second Serve Win % | 54.3 (3rd) | 58.5 (1st) | 57.1 (2nd) |
| Service Games Win % | 89.2 (2nd) | 91.4 (1st) | 85.7 (3rd) |
| Average Aces per Match | 9.2 (1st) | 7.6 (2nd) | 5.1 (3rd) |
| Average Double Faults per Match | 2.4 (3rd) | 1.9 (1st) | 2.3 (2nd) |
| ATP Serve Rating | 297.3 (1st) | 296.5 (2nd) | 283.8 (3rd) |
Despite boasting the best serve rating on the ATP Tour, Zverev’s struggles on second serve and high forehand execution have prevented him from dominating the field in Sinner’s absence.
What’s Next for Zverev?
After his disappointing run at Indian Wells, Zverev now shifts his focus to the Miami Open, where he will be one of the top seeds. With time to recalibrate, he’ll look to sharpen his forehand and capitalize on an opportunity to regain momentum in the Sunshine Double.
