Despite the tough loss against Jannik Sinner in the Australian Open final, Alexander Zverev’s 2025 season had still started in a positive way. The world number 2 had followed up on the progress made in the second half of 2024 and seemed to be able to play a leading role again this year, aiming to win the first Grand Slam title of his career.
Unfortunately, that lesson against the Italian ace at Melbourne Park has remained in the mind of the German, who has achieved truly disastrous results in the last month.
The champion from Hamburg had chosen to play the tournaments on red clay in South America precisely with the aim of earning points in February, a decision that seemed very smart especially after the news of Sinner’s suspension for three months.
If he continued to play as he had in previous months, Sascha could have aspired to become world No.1 before the Italian ace returned to action in May. However, the 2025 AO finalist had a frightening drop and was prematurely eliminated in Buenos Aires, Rio de Janeiro and Acapulco, giving the feeling of suffering from the pressure and falling back into the mistakes of the past.
Zverev continues to struggle
Zverev hoped to redeem himself in the first Masters 1000 of the season – the ‘BNP Paribas Open’ in Indian Wells – but his run ended in the second round against Tallon Griekspoor.
The German – who has never particularly shone in California during his career – was not the only one who suffered due to the change of surface, but he seems to have regressed compared to a few months ago and returned to showing his usual weaknesses.
Furthermore – since the Indian Wells tournament entered the ATP calendar in 1976 – it had never happened that the number 1 seed lost on his debut after winning the first set.
Due to his recent results, Sascha’s chances of climbing to the top of the ATP ranking before Jannik’s return are almost nil, which could allow him to play with less pressure.
Tennis World USA