Alexander Zverev, the world No. 3 and 2021 Olympic gold medalist, has outlined the primary condition that would lead him to retire from professional tennis: a loss of passion for the sport. In a 2019 interview with L’Equipe during the Mexican Open in Acapulco, the then-21-year-old German stated, “When I no longer feel pleasure in tennis, I won’t play anymore. I do not care about how old I will be, my ranking position, the amount of money I will have made. I play tennis because I want to and because it is the most delightful thing I can do.” This sentiment, expressed early in his career, remains the most definitive insight into his retirement plans, as Zverev has not publicly revisited the topic in detail since.
A Passion-Driven Career
Zverev’s passion-driven approach stems from his lifelong connection to tennis, having started playing at age three under the guidance of his parents, former Soviet Union professionals Irina Zvereva and Alexander Mikhailovich Zverev. His competitive nature, evident since childhood, has fueled a career that includes 24 ATP singles titles, two ATP Finals (2018, 2021), and a 2020 Tokyo Olympics gold medal, per ATP Tour. Despite facing significant challenges—such as a severe 2022 French Open ankle injury that sidelined him for six months, domestic abuse allegations settled out of court in 2024, and a recent dip in form post his 2025 Australian Open final loss to Jannik Sinner—Zverev’s love for the game has persisted.
In the 2019 interview, Zverev emphasized that external pressures, such as rankings or financial success, would not dictate his decision. Reflecting on a straight-set loss to Milos Raonic at the 2019 Australian Open, he admitted to self-imposed pressure but reframed his mindset, saying, “I’ve realized that it is not the right way to think about it. Tennis is not linear… I know my time will come.” This resilience was evident in 2025, as he rebounded from early exits in Indian Wells and Miami to win his third Munich Open title on his 28th birthday, defeating Ben Shelton, per Tennismajors.com.
Overcoming Adversity
Zverev’s comments suggest he would only retire if tennis ceases to bring him joy, regardless of age or achievements. At 28, with a career-high No. 2 ranking in 2022 and recent finals at the 2020 US Open, 2024 French Open, and 2025 Australian Open, he remains a top contender. His 55-71 record against top-10 players and 43.7% win rate in such matches underline his competitiveness, per Wikipedia. Posts on X, like @WeAreTennis’s quote from Zverev after his 2025 Australian Open loss—“I don’t know if I’ll ever be able to lift the trophy. But I’ll keep coming back”—reflect his determination to persist despite setbacks.
French Open Outlook
As Zverev prepares for the 2025 French Open, starting May 25, where he faces Dominik Koepfer in the first round, his focus remains on enjoying the game and chasing a maiden Grand Slam. His 2022 ankle injury, which forced a wheelchair exit against Rafael Nadal in the semifinals, and subsequent recovery to reach the 2023 Roland Garros semifinals, highlight his ability to overcome adversity. Unless his passion wanes—a scenario not currently evident given his recent Munich triumph and 7-2 clay record in 2025—Zverev appears committed to competing at the highest level for years to come.
