Former World No.2 Convinced Alexander Zverev’s Painful Wimbledon Exit ‘Will Do Him Good’

Alexander Zverev will continue his hunt for his first Grand Slam title at the US Open, where he was the runner-up in 2020.

Former World No.2 Convinced Alexander Zverev’s Painful Wimbledon Exit ‘Will Do Him Good’

Alexander Zverev (Image via X/We Are Tennis)

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Alexander Zverev suffered a heartbreaking defeat at the 2025 Wimbledon as he lost in five sets in the first round against Arthur Rinderknech. But according to former World No.2 Tommy Haas, this defeat is good for Sascha.

Zverev, following his first-round exit, revealed at the press conference that he was dealing with mental health issues. He then took a vacation to recharge his batteries and eventually withdrew from the Gstaad Open.

Zverev will next be participating at the Canadian Open, which starts on July 28. After the Montreal event, the 28-year-old will play the Cincinnati Masters. Next will be the US Open, and according to Haas, Zverev will be very motivated to win his first Grand Slam title there. He told Eurosport.de:

This painful loss to Rinderknech may ultimately do him a lot of good in the long run, starting with the reflection time he has been able to enjoy in recent weeks. That time for reflection is very valuable; he will surely seek a fresh start in the American hard-court season, where he usually brings out his best tennis. Perhaps this will make him even hungrier for the upcoming US Open.

Last year in the North American events, Zverev failed to reach a final. Sebastian Korda knocked him out in the quarterfinals of the Canadian Open, followed by his defeat to eventual winner Jannik Sinner in the semifinals of the Cincinnati Masters. At the US Open, eventual runner-up Taylor Fritz eliminated him in the quarterfinals.

Zverev was a finalist at the 2020 US Open. He was on the verge of winning but ended up squandering a 2-0 lead, eventually losing the five-set match to Dominic Thiem.

The three-time Grand Slam finalist lost a five-set match in the French Open final last year to Carlos Alcaraz. He then succumbed to a straight-set defeat against Sinner in this year’s Australian Open final.

Tommy Haas makes his feelings known on Alexander Zverev-Toni Nadal coaching rumors

After his Wimbledon exit, Alexander Zverev was spotted training at the Rafa Nadal Academy with Rafael Nadal‘s uncle and former coach Toni Nadal, and this sparked coaching rumors. Both Toni and Zverev are yet to confirm the rumors. Tommy Haas, during the same interview with Eurosport.de, gave his opinion on the possible partnership.

Alexander Zverev
Alexander Zverev (Image via X/Swish Tennis)

I think any coach who had a player like Rafa Nadal under their wings would have celebrated his success greatly. However, he always showed a very particular attitude both on and off the court, an ideal attitude that ended up leading to Rafa having a prodigious career. I have had the opportunity to speak with him; he knows very well how to seek that harmony with the player in all aspects, so Sascha will be the one to decide.

Zverev has won just one title this season. After losing the Australian Open final, the World No.3 made early exits in the next six tournaments he played, before ending his title drought at the BMW Open with a straight-set win over Ben Shelton in the final. At the French Open, his campaign was ended by 24-time Grand Slam champion Novak Djokovic in the quarterfinals.

Right after his defeat, Zverev reached the Stuttgart Open final but couldn’t go past Taylor Fritz. At the Halle Open, he ended up losing in the semifinal to eventual runner-up Daniil Medvedev.

Zverev could enter the Canadian Open as the first seed given that World No.1 Sinner has pulled out of the tournament and World No.2 Carlos Alcaraz has confirmed that he will not play either. He lifted the title in the Canadian capital in 2017 by beating 20-time Grand Slam champion Roger Federer. In 2021, he defeated Andrey Rublev in the Cincinnati Masters final.

Also read: Goran Ivanisevic explains why Jannik Sinner defeated Novak Djokovic at the Wimbledon Championship