Mats Wilander questions Alexander Zverev’s ‘faith’ in big slam matches after a lopsided Australian Open final defeat

Alexander Zverev is now a three-time Grand Slam finalist as he ended his Australian Open campaign as a runner-up.

Mats Wilander questions Alexander Zverev’s ‘faith’ in big slam matches after a lopsided Australian Open final defeat

Alexander Zverev, Mats Wilander (Images via X, Wikidata)

Alexander Zverev‘s lopsided performance in the 2025 Australian Open final against Jannik Sinner forced Mats Wilander to question if the German has enough confidence in himself in Grand Slam events. Zverev, on Sunday (January 26), fell to the World No.1 in straight sets in the final and will continue to remain a slamless player.

The fact a player of Zverev’s caliber was playing made many anticipate that the match will be no less than a five-set battle. It was, however, unlike the previous two Grand Slam finals he played. In his first Major final at the 2020 US Open, against Dominic Thiem, the 27-year-old was defeated in five sets in spite of taking a 2-0 lead at first.

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The five-set final in the 2024 French Open between Zverev and Carlos Alcaraz could have ended in either side’s favor. But the 21-year-old Spaniard didn’t let Zverev win more than three games in the last two sets.

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I’m starting to wonder if Zverev still has faith in himself. When I see this performance, not in terms of ball striking or tactics, but in terms of emotional input, I’m starting to wonder.

Mats Wilander told Eurosport

Zverev is now 4-3 against Sinner in the head-to-head contest. According to Wilander, the reason why Zverev struggles in Majors is that he doesn’t do much to keep the momentum on his side when his opponent loses points.

I’m sure he believes in it at the beginning of the match, but you have to believe in it in the third set when you win the first point of the last game. You have to bluff your opponent and when he doesn’t do it, it worries me, to be honest.

Mats Wilander added
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Mats Wilander explains what makes Jannik Sinner a better player than Alexander Zverev

According to Mats Wilander, Jannik Sinner is more proactive than Alexander Zverev. Wilander observed that during rallies, Sinner tries to get closer to the baselines to create chances to hit winners.

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

He [Jannik Sinner] is proactive. He takes the ball early. It feels like every shot he hits, he hits with a purpose and is always gaining ground, whereas when you watch Sascha Zverev; he hits a lot of shots which are just keeping the ball in play.

Mats Wilander told Eurosport
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Sinner dropped a set in the tournament twice, against Tristan Schoolkate and Holger Rune. Before sinking Zverev, the 23-year-old eased past Ben Shelton in the semifinals. Zverev, on the other hand, received a walkover from Novak Djokovic as he suffered from a muscle tear on his left leg.