The tennis world has not been kind to Alexander Zverev this season. Every loss, every inconsistency, every dip in form has been magnified under a lens that only grows harsher with each passing week. As the world number 3 battled through a year defined by fluctuating performances, the criticism around him only intensified. Social media can be ruthless, and pundits haven’t held back either. For example, German legend Boris Becker said. “World class looks different.” He even labeled him a “problem child” and questioned his reluctance to make changes within his team. 

Even in October this year, we saw Becker claiming that he believes Zverev is no longer the third force in tennis. But it’s not just Becker; even Matt Roberts recently claimed that several players could surpass Zverev in 2026, and it’s very unlikely he’ll keep hold of his position. For Zverev, 2025 has felt like a season where every misstep was met with an outsized judgment. But just when the noise reached its loudest, two familiar American voices rose above the chatter - Andy Roddick and Chris Eubanks, both former pros who know the weight of expectations and the sting of public scrutiny all too well.

It began with Roddick, never one to sugarcoat his opinions, saying, “I’m kind of sick. Look, you might not be a fan of Sascha [Zverev] for reasons and things that have happened off court, but there have been people on different podcasts who are treating him like he’s not a great player, and that p—– me off,” during a recent episode of the ‘Served’ podcast. He further highlighted, “24 titles, he’s made World Tour Finals, every year he hasn’t been hurt for the last nine years. Because Carlos [Alcaraz] and Jannik [Sinner] are so good, I don’t want to ever get to the place where anyone who’s not them is treated like a piece of s—, that’s ridiculous.”

If we take a look at Alexander Zverev’s performance, he finished the season with a win-loss record of 55-25, and his only title triumph came in May this year at the Munich Open. Although he reached quite a few finals this year (including AO), Zverev failed to deliver when it mattered the most. As a result of these narrow misses, he trails Sinner and Alcaraz by over 6,000 points as the 2025 season draws to a close. But do these numbers justify the quality to the fullest?

Probably not! Joining Andy Roddick in the podcast, recently retired American tennis star Chris Eubanks added, “I saw a clip of a pod. I’m not going to say who it was, but I’m going to quote it. ‘I just don’t know what he does; he’s just not that good.’ What are you talking about? The guy is 6ft 7. Usually serves around 75-80% first serves, averaging 135 mph, and has one of the best backhands we’ve ever seen. His movement is incredible.”

Eubanks further added, “Sure, you can critique his tendencies to be a bit more passive, and not be aggressive and force the issue; sure, now we’re talking tennis, but to sit and unequivocally say, ‘He’s not that good,’ does not make logical tennis sense… There’s no way you can watch him and think he’s not that good. His track record speaks for itself.” 

Together, the two Americans formed an unexpected shield around the German star, reminding fans and pundits alike that greatness is never linear and that even top players deserve the space to navigate rough patches without being torn down. 

If we take a look at Alexander Zverev’s overall record, he turned pro in 2013, and in these twelve years, he has won 24 titles in his singles career. Although he reached the final of each of the major tournaments excluding Wimbledon, the 28-year-old is yet to win one. But Zverev has won the ATP Finals title twice (2018, 2021) and an Olympic gold medal once (2021). 

Highlighting all his achievements over the years, Roddick claimed, “He’s been there for a decade. To say he’s not that good is offensive to every tennis player on the planet, in my opinion.” 

For Alexander Zverev, this backing couldn’t have come at a better time, as he now looks forward to making a new start in 2026. While he continues working to find the rhythm that once made him one of the most feared players on Tour, the support from seasoned voices like Roddick and Eubanks is a powerful reminder that his journey is far from defined by temporary struggles.

But what are his own thoughts about his 2025 season, and what do other tennis experts have to say about how things have gone for the German in the past twelve months? Let’s check out.

Alexander Zverev isn’t too pleased with his performance in 2025

Despite ending the year as world number 3, Alexander Zverev couldn’t shake the feeling that his 2025 season had slipped below his own expectations. After finishing his ATP Finals campaign with a 6–4, 7–6(4) defeat to Canada’s Felix Auger-Aliassime, the German took a look back at his performance in 2025.

During the post-match press conference, he admitted, “For me, an incredibly unsatisfying season. The tennis season is long; you have a lot of ups and downs. For me, there were not many ups. I think for me, the Australian Open final, Munich, as you mentioned. Everything else, I'm very unsatisfied.”

Hearing this, tennis legend Tim Henman analyzed his downfall by highlighting a few factors in his game. He said, “Right now, I don't see him having any plan when he steps onto the court.” Henman also suggested, “His service is phenomenal; we already know that, and in some matches, he manages to keep it safe. The problem comes afterward, from the back of the court, when his forehand becomes very vulnerable, reacting almost always late, lacking the ability to withstand many exchanges. Right now, I feel that what he should do is step back from competition for a while and reinvent himself.”

So, although he believes Alexander Zverev is a very good player, he doesn’t think his game is moving in the right direction. However, amid claims of Zverev getting further away from being the third-best in the ATP Tour behind Carlos Alcaraz and Jannik Sinner, former WTA pro Barbara Schett also backed the German, saying, “We mustn’t forget that, at the end of the day, Sascha is still number three in the world. And he certainly doesn’t lack the will to win; in fact, he even criticizes himself for his performances.”

However, although Schett believes that Zverev deserves to win a major title, she claims he is further away from it now than he was five years ago. Do you also agree with this statement, though?

Written by

Sayantan Roy

Sayantan Roy is a seasoned tennis journalist at EssentiallyTennis. He brings a deep tactical understanding to his coverage, breaking down head-to-head records, match dynamics, and on-court strategies with precision. For more than two years, Sayantan has been a key member of the Live Events desk, delivering real-time insights and data-backed predictions for the platform’s Matchday Preview section. His analytical approach has sparked editorial debates and drawn recognition from respected tennis voices, including commentator and analyst Olly_Tennis. Combining his experience in writing with a passion for insightful sports journalism, Sayantan’s work serves as a trusted reference point for tennis fans around the world.

Know more

Edited by

Shrabana Sengupta