Alexander Zverev explains why he thinks Jannik Sinner’s style is ‘very, very similar’ to Novak Djokovic after Australian Open defeat

Jannik Sinner dismantled Alexander Zverev 6-3, 7-6(4), 6-3 to defend the Australian Open title on Sunday (January 26).

Alexander Zverev explains why he thinks Jannik Sinner’s style is ‘very, very similar’ to Novak Djokovic after Australian Open defeat

Jannik Sinner, Alexander Zverev, Novak Djokovic (Images via X)

Alexander Zverev failed to win his first Grand Slam title once again. The World No. 2 was up against Jannik Sinner in the final of the 2025 Australian Open, which was expected to be a thrilling contest.

Unfortunately, Zverev was no match for Sinner, who wrapped up the final in his favor in three sets. Following the defeat, when Zverev was asked to compare Sinner’s game, he explained why he thinks Sinner plays like Novak Djokovic.

YouTube video

He’s very, very similar to Novak when he was at his best. They barely miss, like barely miss. They make you think like you have to overhit all the time to have a chance in a rally against them. It’s very, very difficult to win a point from the back of the court against them, against Novak and him. Move obviously tremendous. They’re constantly on the baseline.

Alexander Zverev said at the press conference

The 24-time Grand Slam champion, who was bidding to win his 11th Australian Open, retired from the semifinal match against Zverev due to a muscle tear on his left leg. A disappointed Zverev claimed that he doesn’t play like either Djokovic or Sinner.

FS Video

They don’t give you any space. They don’t give you any time. Yeah, I mean, just right now too good for me. Again, I’ll do everything I can to be able to compete with them and to lift the trophy, but today was nowhere near good enough.

Alexander Zverev added
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Novak Djokovic backs Alexander Zverev after his disappointing Australian Open defeat

After his Australian Open exit, Novak Djokovic expressed his wish to see Alexander Zverev emerge as the winner in the Grand Slam final. While that was not the case in the final, Djokovic continued to express his belief that Zverev has it in him to win a major.

Novak Djokovic, Alexander Zverev (4)
Novak Djokovic, Alexander Zverev (Images via X)

Sascha, keep believing my friend! You have IT in you.

Novak Djokovic wrote on Instagram story

Before this Australian Open final, the German had made it to the summit clashes of the 2020 US Open and 2024 French Open, which he lost to Dominic Thiem and Carlos Alcaraz, respectively. Sinner, on the other hand, is now a three-time Grand Slam champion, winning two Australian Open and one US Open.

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Sinner has now won two consecutive matches against Zverev to have a 3-4 win-loss record. Before the Australian Open, they met in the semifinal of the 2024 Cincinnati Masters, which Sinner won before lifting the title.