How Alexander Zverev matched undesirable Andre Agassi and Andy Roddick record with his 2024 season

Alexander Zverev matched an undesirable record set by Andre Agassi and Andy Roddick during his 2024 season, highlighting a notable gap between his ranking and Grand Slam success. According to analyses of his performance, Zverev finished the year ranked No. 2 in the world, a significant achievement driven by titles at the Rome Masters and Paris Masters, a French Open final, and semifinal appearances at the Australian Open, Miami, and Cincinnati, alongside quarter-final runs at the US Open, Indian Wells, and Montreal. Despite this, he failed to secure a Grand Slam title, a feat that places him in rare company.

This mirrors the experiences of Agassi in 2002 and Roddick in 2004, both of whom ended their respective years as No. 2 in the ATP rankings without winning a Grand Slam. Agassi reached only one final that year, while Roddick also managed a single Grand Slam final, reflecting a similar pattern of strong overall performance overshadowed by a lack of major titles. Zverev’s 2024 season, marked by 66 wins in 86 matches and a United Cup title with Germany, echoed this trend, with his French Open final loss to Carlos Alcaraz—where a controversial overruled call proved costly—exemplifying his near misses. His emotional Wimbledon exit in 2025, where he spoke openly about mental struggles, further underscores the pressure of this recurring narrative.

This record is considered undesirable because it highlights a disconnect between Zverev’s consistent excellence—evidenced by his 450th career win and seven ATP Finals appearances—and his inability to claim a maiden Grand Slam, a goal he has publicly prioritized. The comparison to Agassi and Roddick, both Grand Slam champions later in their careers, suggests Zverev’s talent is undeniable, yet his internal challenges and coaching uncertainties may be hindering that final breakthrough.