Mats Wilander backs Alexander Zverev to win a Grand Slam title after his opening-round win at the Australian Open
Second seed Alexander Zverev defeated Lucas Pouille in straight sets in the first round of the 2025 Australian Open.
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Alexander Zverev, Mats Wilander (Images via X, Ubitennis)
Does Alexander Zverev have it in him to win a Grand Slam title? Zverev has been on the tour for a long time but still, he hasn’t tasted success in Grand Slam events. Mats Wilander, after Zverev’s first match at the Australian Open, said he was convinced that the German would soon lift a Major.
Zverev, who is the second seed in the tournament, locked horns with unseeded Lucas Pouille on Sunday (January 12). He hit 37 winners to breeze past the Frenchman in two hours and 20 minutes in their first meeting on the ATP Tour. Wilander, the seven-time Grand Slam singles champion, talked about what he observed while watching Zverev play.
He’s made a few changes. Become more aggressive, and that’s what he needs to do. But the serve was unbelievable, he served great again today, it is obviously his biggest weapon. And yes, he does have it in him to win a Grand Slam. I’m convinced.
Mats Wilander told Eurosport
"He does have it in him to win a Grand Slam"
— Eurosport (@eurosport) January 12, 2025
Mats Wilander believes Alexander Zverev has the ability to go all the way 🙌#AusOpen pic.twitter.com/CnjfTRlyGS
If Zverev wins the tournament, he will become the first player since Boris Becker in 1996 to lift the title. Zverev, who reached the second round at the Australian Open for the ninth time on the trot, will next lock horns with Spain’s Pedro Martinez.
Alexander Zverev reveals five players who could win Australian Open
Alexander Zverev is one of the contenders in the ongoing tournament. When asked in the pre-tournament press conference to name five players who he thinks are the favorites to win the tournament, Zverev said it’s Jannik Sinner, Carlos Alcaraz, Novak Djokovic, Daniil Medvedev, and Alex de Minaur.
I think the usual names. Jannik, Alcaraz, and Novak for sure are part of that list. Daniil, because he’s done it before, those guys, I think the usual. Alex de Minaur, for Australians, I think it’s always very exciting in Australia.
Alexander Zverev said
Zverev came close to winning his first major twice after reaching the 2020 US Open and 2024 French Open. Sinner will be bidding to defend the title, while Alcaraz wants to accomplish the Career Grand Slam. Djokovic, who last year lost to Sinner in the semifinals, is the man with the most titles in the tournament, winning 10.
2021 US Open champion Medvedev is a three-time finalist in Melbourne, having reached the summit clash in 2021, 2022, and 2024. Local man De Minaur on the other hand has never progressed to the quarterfinals.
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Gouri Das
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