Alexander Zverev Makes Explosive Statements About his Form and Health After Shanghai Exit

Alexander Zverev has not won a Masters 1000 event since Paris Masters last year.

Alexander Zverev Makes Explosive Statements About his Form and Health After Shanghai Exit

Alexander Zverev (via ATP Tour)

🔍 Explore this post with:

ChatGPTPerplexityGrok AIGoogle AI

World No. 3 Alexander Zverev was eliminated from the Shanghai Masters after a 4-6, 6-3, 6-2 defeat to France’s Arthur Rinderknech on Monday. Zverev admitted he played “terrible tennis” and appeared frustrated as the match slipped away. His loss leaves Novak Djokovic as the highest-ranked player remaining, strengthening the Serbian’s bid for a fifth Shanghai title.

Rinderknech, ranked 54th, battled back from a set down to claim victory under sweltering conditions. It marked his second win over Zverev this year, having also beaten him at Wimbledon. Zverev, who had suffered a toe injury in his previous match, showed no visible pain but struggled to find rhythm and consistency. Zverev said in an interview with Eurosport:

The last time I played without pain was in Australia. It’s been a really tough year physically, with back problems that won’t go away. I’m in a real battle with myself because I have immense distrust in my game. I simply don’t believe in myself, I lack any kind of faith and confidence in myself. I’m playing terrible tennis, and my season’s record is really bad.

The German started well, breaking Rinderknech in the third game, but his level dropped as the Frenchman grew more aggressive. Rinderknech’s confident shot-making and attacking play in the final two sets secured the upset. After the match, Zverev admitted his poor form has become a recurring problem in recent tournaments.

With Zverev out, world No. 5 Djokovic now leads the field as the tournament enters its final stages. Meanwhile, several other top players, including Jannik Sinner and Taylor Fritz, exited early, while Carlos Alcaraz withdrew to rest. Australia’s Alex de Minaur became the next highest seed after Djokovic, advancing to the fourth round with a straight-sets win over Kamil Majchrzak.

Does Alexander Zverev’s theory make sense?

Roger Federer and Alexander Zverev have stirred discussion in the tennis world with their shared belief that slower courts are being prepared to favor Carlos Alcaraz and Jannik Sinner. Federer suggested that tournament organizers intentionally create slower surfaces to increase the likelihood of marquee finals between the sport’s rising stars. Zverev supported this idea, criticizing the modern game’s lack of variation in surface speeds and styles.

Roger Federer, Alexander Zverev
Roger Federer, Alexander Zverev (Image via X/We Are Tennis France, The Tennis Letter)

Their comments reignited debate about the growing similarity of court conditions across tournaments. In previous decades, surfaces were more distinct—faster grass and indoor courts contrasted sharply with slower clay. Many fans and analysts agree that today’s homogenized surfaces limit diversity in playing styles and reduce the strategic variety that once defined the sport.

Sinner’s record, however, challenges the perception that he thrives only on slow courts. The Italian has captured titles on all four main surfaces but just one on clay. Most of his success has come on quicker conditions, including seven trophies on indoor hard courts and two on grass. His dominant run at the 2024 ATP Finals in Turin, where he swept through without losing more than four games per match, showed how lethal his game can be on fast courts.

Alcaraz, by contrast, has shown mastery across all conditions. Eleven of his 24 titles have come on clay, including two Grand Slams, yet he has proven equally effective elsewhere. At just 21, he has already claimed trophies on every major surface and boasts an extraordinary 35-4 record on grass, the best winning percentage in the Open Era. Whether on slow or quick courts, both Alcaraz and Sinner have proven they can dominate, making them formidable opponents regardless of surface speed.

Alexander Zverev ousted from Shanghai Masters

With Alexander Zverev’s exit, world No. 5 Novak Djokovic now stands as the highest-ranked player remaining in the Shanghai Masters. The 24-time Grand Slam champion is set to meet Spain’s Jaume Munar in the round of 16 as he continues his pursuit of a record fifth title in Shanghai.

Alexander Zverev Laver Cup
Alexander Zverev (via Punto de Break)

The tournament has seen several top contenders fall. Defending champion Jannik Sinner was forced to retire on Sunday due to severe leg cramps, while fourth seed Taylor Fritz also bowed out. World No. 1 Carlos Alcaraz withdrew just before his opening match to recover and rest ahead of the next ATP events.

Australia’s Alex de Minaur, now the next highest seed behind Djokovic, advanced comfortably to the fourth round after defeating Poland’s Kamil Majchrzak 6-1, 7-5. The consistent Australian will now face Portugal’s Nuno Borges, who ended home favorite Shang Juncheng’s run in a hard-fought 7-6 (7/5), 4-6, 6-3 victory.

Former champion Daniil Medvedev also remains in contention. The 2019 Shanghai winner booked his place in the next round by overcoming Spain’s Alejandro Davidovich Fokina 6-3, 7-6 (7/5), adding more star power to the final stages of the tournament.

Also Read: China Open Champion Amanda Anisimova Admits that Resilience and Hard Work Made her Reach her Goals