Former World No.17 believes Alexander Zverev is “a great champion” but has a key weakness in his game

Alexander Zverev has reached three Grand Slam finals but has failed to win any, including the recent Australian Open.

Former World No.17 believes Alexander Zverev is “a great champion” but has a key weakness in his game

Alexander Zverev (Image via X)

Alexander Zverev is yet to win a major title in his career despite being one of the top players of his generation. The German, who was dubbed to win more than one Grand Slam has already gotten to three finals without lifting even one title. Former World No.17 Fabrice Santoro has revealed a key weakness in his game.

Zverev has been a big contender for titles except the Grand Slam. Last year at the French Open, he lost the title to Carlos Alcaraz in the final despite being in better form. This season, it was expected of him to push for the Australian Open and he did that but failed to be effective in the end as he lost in straight sets to Jannik Sinner.

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Following the painful defeat in Melbourne, Zverev has been playing flat and has struggled on the court. He endured a brutal run at three tournaments in Latin America, which included the Argentina, Rio, and Acapulco Open. In all these tournaments, Zverev failed to win more than three matches despite being the top seed and favorite.

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The World No.2 is heading into the Sunshine Double without a title and lack of motivation. That has led Fabrice Santoro to claim that the he’s a great champion but has yet to leave his comfort zone.

He has a lot of quality, he’s a great champion, but he doesn’t have a very good hand. He’s not comfortable [at the net], and unfortunately, when you take passing shots from Alcaraz or Sinner, you have to have a good volley. Otherwise, you get pierced. When you are so strong without playing forward, it is difficult to get out of your comfort zone. It is up to Zverev to say to himself, ‘Okay, I can be more aggressive.

Fabrice Santoro said via L’Equipe

Zverev was beaten on Thursday (February 27) by American youngster Learner Tien in straight sets. In February alone, he has lost to players below the Top 20 and is still seeking for his first title of the season.

Former French player gives Alexander Zverev timeline to evolve his game before the French Open

Alexander Zverev has come under huge criticism for his style of play. The German star failed to win a set against Jannik Sinner in the Australian Open final as he left the Italian unchallenged on his run to glory. The World No.2 is already 27 and there are worries he might end his talented career without a Grand Slam title.

Alexander Zverev
Alexander Zverev (Image via X)

During a conversation in the aforementioned outlet, former French player Arnaud Clement argued that if there’s no evolution in Zverev’s game between now and the Roland Garros, he will end up losing at the French Open.

If we arrive the day before Roland Garros and we say to ourselves that it is perhaps the moment for Zverev, we must especially see what will happen before. And if there is no evolution in his game between now and Roland Garros, it will be the same thing and he will not be able to win. ‘Not win’ is a bit harsh because it depends on the circumstances: if Sinner is suspended and Alcaraz injured, maybe he will have a chance.

Arnaud Clement said

Zverev will return to the court at the Indian Wells Open before the Miami Open. He will need to win one or more titles to be in the right form and momentum before the 2025 French Open.