“It’s All in His Head,” Rafael Nadal Explains the Reasons Why Alexander Zverev Has Not Won a Grand Slam Title

Alexander Zverev has reached three Grand Slam finals in the past five years but has failed to win the title in any of them.

“It’s All in His Head,” Rafael Nadal Explains the Reasons Why Alexander Zverev Has Not Won a Grand Slam Title

Alexander Zverev and Rafael Nadal (via X/Eurosport)

Alexander Zverev is considered by many to be one of the best and most talented players of his generation without a major title to his name. The 28-year-old has been to three Grand Slam finals but has always ended up as runners-up. Tennis legend Rafael Nadal explained the factors he believes that have prevented him from winning a Grand Slam in his career.

Zverev’s first Grand Slam final was against Dominic Thiem at the 2020 US Open, where he lost to the Austrian in five sets. He reached his second final at the 2024 Roland Garros, where he faced Carlos Alcaraz and once again lost in a five-set thriller. The World No.3 was then beaten in his third attempt by Jannik Sinner in straight sets at the Australian Open 2025 in January.

Zverev has won 24 ATP titles in his career – including two ATP Finals titles, an Olympic gold, and seven Masters 1000 trophies. However, this season he has not been at his usual standard since losing to Sinner in Melbourne. The German star has struggled on the court, winning just one title this year.

At the Madrid Open, he lost to Francisco Cerundolo in the round of 16 and then succumbed to a defeat against in straight sets against Lorenzo Musetti in the quarter-finals of the Italian Open. He decided to compete at the Hamburg Open in preparation for the Roland Garros, but there he lost to Alexandre Muller in the round of 16.

In an interview with L’Equipe, Nadal shared his thoughts on a host of players when asked about the current state of the ATP Tour. He revealed that Jannik Sinner and Carlos Alcaraz are above the rest of the competitors in the men’s circuit while pointing out that Zverev has unfortunately missed out on winning a Grand Slam.

There are two players who stand head and shoulders above the rest, Carlos [Alcaraz] and Jannik [Sinner]. Others, like [Jack] Draper, are evolving, [Holger] Rune won in Barcelona, Casper [Ruud] played very well in Madrid, [Jakub] Mensik won in Miami. We’ll also have to see how [Joao] Fonseca develops. Zverev is an impressive player, but he hasn’t yet managed to win a Grand Slam. Unfortunately, I think it’s all in his head because, given his level of tennis, he should have won one by now.

Nadal and Zverev faced each other 11 times on tour, from their first meeting in 2016 and their last in 2024. The former led with a 7-4 head-to-head record, but the Spanish icon lost to Zverev in his last Grand Slam match in the opening round of the 2024 French Open.

Alexander Zverev believes he’s a step closer to winning a Grand Slam

Alexander Zverev has been criticized for his lack of hunger for more titles and has even been lashed out at for not deserving to be ranked in the top 3 of the ATP rankings. Also, he has been slammed for not getting past the finishing line in Grand Slam tournaments having reached three finals in the past five years. He has now arrived at the Roland Garros as last year’s runners-up. During a conversation with Adidas, he revealed he feels he’s close to winning his first Slam.

Alexander Zverev (via X/Universe tennis)
Alexander Zverev (via X/Universe tennis)

I always thought I was going to be good, I always thought I was going to win tournaments. I never thought I am going to be top 100 or top 50. That was never my goal. That was never my thing that I wanted to achieve, my thing was that I want to be the best, and that’s it. I think there’s one question mark I have, and that’s winning a slam, but even that, I do feel, honestly, that I am closer than ever and my level is better than it ever was.

Zverev will open his account against Learner Tien in the first round of the French Open. He’s projected to face Francisco Cerundolo in the fourth round and holds a 0-3 head-to-head record against the Argentine.

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