Alexander Zverev Takes Cheeky Jibe at Novak Djokovic Over Suggestion to Change Grand Slam Format: “He’s Getting Older Now”

Novak Djokovic wants the tennis bosses to bring major changes to Grand Slam events. He proposed a best-of-three format in the early rounds of Grand Slam events.

But both Carlos Alcaraz and Alexander Zverev share different opinions. Alcaraz, who is bidding to defend his title at the Japan Open, said changing the format of the Majors will change their legacy.

Now Zverev has weighed in on the debate. Zverev, who is competing at the Japan Open, said he is convinced Djokovic wouldn’t have wanted the change in his prime. He took a cheeky jibe at Nole, saying the reason behind this proposal is that he is getting older.

It’s history. It’s the toughest thing to win in our sport because we play best-of-five sets; it’s physically one of the most extreme things that you can go through. I don’t know a single player who would like to play best-of-three sets… Maybe Novak wants to play best-of-three because, of course, he’s getting a bit older now. But I think if you had asked him this 10 years ago or 15 years ago, for sure not.

Alexander Zverev said at the press conference (H/T: Tennis World USA)

Djokovic has reached just one final here, at the Australian Open, losing the match to Carlos Alcaraz. Before the China Open, he suffered an opening-round defeat at the US Open.

The 24-time Grand Slam champion is playing in Beijing for the first time since 2015. He went past Nuno Borges to schedule his next match against Yunchaokete Bu.

Jimmy Connors reacts to Alexander Zverev’s Grand Slam wins

In Beijing, Alexander Zverev first defeated Cameron Norrie to schedule his second-round match against Shang Juncheng. Sascha has never clinched a title at the China Open. He, in fact, has not yet won a title at the ATP 500 level since the 2025 Munich Open. Since then, he has played only one final at this level, at the Vienna Open last year.

Before arriving in Beijing, Zverev lifted his career’s second Grand Slam title by defeating home favorite Ben Shelton. He also played the finals of the French Open and Wimbledon, winning the former by beating Flavio Cobolli and losing the latter to Jannik Sinner. Reacting to Zverev’s two Grand Slam wins, former World No.1 Jimmy Connors, on his Advantage Connors podcast, said:

What a summer he has had. From winning the French to the finals of Wimbledon, to winning the US Open. That has made his career. I am just going to say this, we were at times a bit critical of him because we thought he should have won some Grand Slams, and he had the opportunities but did not come through.

Those two Majors are the only titles Zverev has won so far this season. In addition to these finals, he also reached the final of the Madrid Open, losing to Sinner.

I think one guy who is going to need some time off is Zverev. Keep winning, and you’ll be number one, is my thoughts. He has put out such an effort to get where he has gotten right now, he is going to need to take a breath and let himself heal physically and mentally.

Jimmy Connors added

After the China Open, Zverev will compete at the Shanghai Masters, which starts on October 7. Zverev last won a Masters 1000 title at the 2024 Paris Masters. Last year in Shanghai, Zverev lost in the third round. He is a former finalist in Shanghai, reaching the final in 2019. Valentin Vacherot, who is competing at the Japan Open, is the reigning champion.

Also read: Ex-WTA Player Believes Carlos Alcaraz Has an Advantage Over His Rivals Until End of 2026 Season