Zverev: Burnout Led to Slump, But I'm on the Right Path

Alexander Zverev opens up about struggles, criticizes media for belittling him, and points out that even top players like Djokovic and Alcaraz face tough times.

Defending Rome Open champion Alexander Zverev believes he's back on track, saying he's on a “good path” after a recent slump. The world number two attributed his poor run of form, which followed his Australian Open final loss, to burnout.

Zverev ended his losing streak by claiming the ATP title in Munich in mid-April, marking a turning point. He hopes to build on this momentum as he prepares for the Rome Open.

Alexander Zverev, still seeking his first Grand Slam title, reflected on his recent struggles, attributing them to burnout. “Before Munich obviously my level of play wasn't great,” he said. “There are reasons for it. I think not taking time off after Australia was a big reason for it. I felt like I burned out a little bit.”

Zverev regretted not taking a break after losing to Jannik Sinner in the Australian Open final. He highlighted the demanding nature of professional tennis, saying, “Tennis is a tough sport,” and noting the constant travel and lack of rest that comes with it. His form improved after winning the Munich title in mid-April.

“We play a lot. We travel a lot. First of all, we don't give our bodies rest, but we also don't give our heads rest.

“They don't get mental rest. I needed that a little bit.”

Alexander Zverev about people saying he's the worst World No.2 in history 👇

"I'm there because I won tournaments. I'm there because I have results. The ranking system doesn't lie. You get points for winning matches, you get points for winning titles." pic.twitter.com/uwBO6Sb6aj

— We Are Tennis (@WeAreTennis) May 6, 2025

“I'm on a good path. I won a tournament two weeks ago. I cannot forget that. And I have to focus on the positives.”

Alexander Zverev remains optimistic about his future, believing he will one day become world number one. He criticized the media for being overly harsh during his recent slump, saying, “I do think the media also loves to put players down, right?”

Zverev pointed out that he's not alone in struggling, noting that top players like Novak Djokovic and Carlos Alcaraz have also faced tough periods. Despite his recent challenges, Zverev remains confident in his abilities and future prospects.

Alexander Zverev aims to build momentum from a strong title defense in Rome to enhance his chances at the French Open. He hopes to go beyond last year's performance and claim the championship.

Zverev expressed confidence in his ability to rise to the occasion, saying, “At the end of the day in big matches, big moments, I still believe the top players will rise. I still believe that I am going to find my tennis for the biggest tournaments.”