What Alexander Zverev now does every time he watches tennis during a Grand Slam tournament which Jim Courier thinks is ‘smart’

Alexander Zverev’s Quest for a Grand Slam Title: The Changes He’s Making

Alexander Zverev is leaving no stone unturned in his pursuit of an elusive Grand Slam title. After his Australian Open final loss to Jannik Sinner in January—his third consecutive major final defeat—the German is making small but significant changes to his approach.

While his final defeat in Melbourne was particularly tough, as it was the first Grand Slam final where he failed to win a set, Zverev isn’t dwelling on the past. Instead, he’s working on mental and strategic adjustments to finally break through at the sport’s biggest stage.

Blocking Out the Noise: Zverev’s Grand Slam Strategy

On the latest episode of his podcast with his brother Mischa Zverev, the World No. 2 revealed a strict media blackout policy during Grand Slam tournaments.

“During the most important tournaments, during Grand Slams, I have my phone off. Nobody can reach me. I know the people closest to me are around me—my family, my coaching staff, my partner—and I try not to care about anyone else,” Zverev shared.

The 26-year-old also admitted to watching matches on mute to avoid hearing outside opinions.

“If I have tennis on TV, I watch on silent, so I try to stay as far away from any outside noise as possible. The more you read, the more doubt you start to get—‘Maybe my forehand isn’t good enough, maybe my serve isn’t good enough, maybe Carlos Alcaraz is playing too well for me.’ So I just try to stay completely away from it.”

Jim Courier Supports Zverev’s Approach

Four-time Grand Slam champion Jim Courier, who was a guest on the podcast, praised Zverev’s decision, acknowledging the extra challenges that come with social media in today’s era.

“You are smart to do that,” Courier said. “I really do empathize with the current generation. When you grow up with a phone in your pocket, all your friends are on TikTok or whatever, and you don’t want to miss out on that. But stepping away during crucial tournaments is a great approach.”

Is Roland Garros Zverev’s Best Chance?

Despite falling short at three major finals, Zverev remains one of the top contenders for a Grand Slam title. His best record in Grand Slams comes at Roland Garros, where he has a 79% win rate (34-9) and reached his first final in 2024.

Zverev himself has identified Roland Garros as his best opportunity to win a Slam, but before that, he will focus on getting back on track at the Miami Open after an early exit at Indian Wells.

With his mental reset strategy and a determined mindset, can Zverev finally cross the line and claim a Grand Slam trophy? The road to Paris will be crucial in finding that answer.