Alexander Zverev credits his brother, Mischa, for his success against left handers after Paris Masters win
Alexander Zverev has won 26 straight matches against left-handers, including a straight-set win over Ugo Humbert in the Paris Masters final.
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Alexander Zverev and Mischa Zverev (via X)
Alexander Zverev won his second Masters 1000 title of the season after beating Ugo Humbert 6-2, 6-2 in the Paris Masters final. This victory has secured him the World No. 2 ranking going into the ATP Finals in Turin.
What is even more remarkable is Zverev’s recent success against left-handed players. He has now won his 26th consecutive match against a left-hander with his victory over Humbert, and he credits his brother, Mischa Zverev, for this achievement. Mischa is a notable left-handed player and has been part of the ATP circuit for a long time.
Left-handed players, for me, are perhaps more natural than for others, because my brother is left-handed. I always trained with a left-handed player when I was little. All that sliced and topspin serves, I was used to. Left-handed players can be tricky, it can be tricky for anyone too. I didn’t think I would win in two sets but from the beginning, when I saw the rallies, even when I lost a point after a rally, I felt the ball in my racket. I felt good on the court, I felt comfortable, I felt that I had confidence in myself. I think that was the key to the success of the match.
Alexander Zverev said after his Paris Masters win
Mischa hasn’t enjoyed the same level of success as his brother Alexander on the ATP tour. His greatest achievement in singles is likely from the 2017 Australian Open, where he defeated World No. 1 Andy Murray to reach the quarterfinals before losing to the eventual champion, Roger Federer.
In contrast, Alexander has accomplished a great deal on the tour. His winning streak against left-handers includes many notable victories, such as a first-round win at Roland Garros this year against 14-time French Open champion Rafael Nadal.
Alexander Zverev shares Grand Slam winning ambitions after Paris Masters win
Alexander Zverev says he is focused on achieving his first Grand Slam title in 2025 and is confident that “the results will come.” The 27-year-old German recently claimed his seventh ATP 1000 title by defeating France’s Ugo Humbert 6-2, 6-2 to win the Paris Masters.
I think it’s very difficult to be world number one without winning a Slam. I had the chance in 2022 if I would have not gotten injured. You have to win Grand Slams to become world number one. I’m world number two now, but I’m 3,000 points away from Jannik. I think without the Grand Slams and without the points of the Grand Slams, it’s not possible anymore.
Alexander Zverev in his post-match press conference at Paris Masters
Despite his success, Zverev has yet to win a Grand Slam. He has finished as a runner-up twice: at the US Open in 2020 and the French Open in 2024. His comeback from a serious ankle injury at Roland Garros in 2022 has been gradual.
In the meantime, Jannik Sinner and Carlos Alcaraz have become dominant forces in Grand Slam tennis. Both players won two major titles each in 2024, with Alcaraz defeating Zverev in a thrilling five-set match at the French Open.
Zverev, who also won the Rome Masters in May, now leads the ATP Tour with 66 match wins this year. He has overtaken Sinner in victories and surpassed Alcaraz to become the new world number two. However, he acknowledges that becoming world number one will require winning Grand Slam titles. Next, he aims to compete for his third ATP Finals title in Turin from November 10-17.
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Fahad Hamid
(646 Articles Published)