Becker on Zverev: Australian Open Chances & What’s Missing

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Zverev suffered his first defeat of the season at the United Cup

Source: SID

According to the tenor, Alexander Zverev got an interesting draw in the first Grand Slam competition of the season. It’s against Gabriel Diallo, number 41 in the ATP ranking.

At 2.03 meters tall, the Canadian is five centimeters taller than the Hamburger and also has a strong serve.

“Sascha is always used to looking down at his opponent, now he has to look up. This is an unusual picture. What is somewhat problematic is that both of them have never played against each other. Because: As a rule, the better player has an advantage if you have played against each other more often. Simply because the better player learns his lesson – and Zverev is clearly the better man,” explains Boris Becker told Eurosport.de.

The fact that the world number three has never faced his opponent makes things a little more “uncertain”, but in principle Zverev’s good results at the Happy Slam in recent years, including participation in the final in 2025, are a help. “That makes a difference. You have tournaments like that, you go in and have a good feeling because you often played well,” said Becker, who won the Australian Open in 1991 and 1996.

Becker: “Sinner and Alcaraz leave no room for a third party”

This is exactly what Zverev is pursuing in the coming weeks; it is already his 40th attempt to win a Grand Slam event. To put it carefully, the prospects are manageable – which is less due to the 28-year-old’s performance than to the situation at the absolute top.

Carlos Alcaraz and Jannik Sinner – favorites at the Australian Open 2026

Fotocredit: Eurosport

“For at least 18 months,” emphasizes Becker, Jannik Sinner and Carlos Alcaraz have dominated the scene almost at will. “The two of them are currently leaving no room for a third,” says the 58-year-old, referring to the fact that the last eight major titles have all gone to the Italian-Spanish duo.

  • Tip: Don’t miss a moment of the Australian Open, the first Grand Slam tournament of the season – stream every match live and on-demand on HBO Max

What does that mean for the competition? “They just have to play better,” Becker sums it up. This applies to Zverev as well as to the other top ten professionals. But there is a special aspect for the German when it comes to the so far unsuccessful hunt for a Grand Slam title.

Becker reminds us of the Zverev sticking point: “A knot would have burst”

“I look back at the loss of the 2020 US Open final against Dominic Thiem. I am convinced that he would have won three, four or five Grand Slam tournaments by now if he had won the match back then. A knot would have been broken,” believes the Leimen native, who won a total of six major titles.
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Alexander Zverev training for the Australian Open

Fotocredit: Getty Images

Important against this background: Becker prevailed in his first two Grand Slam finals (1985 and 1986 at Wimbledon) and immediately developed the habitus of a champion. Zverev has now lost three finals (US Open 2020, French Open 2024, Australian Open 2025).

Rittner: Zverev has to be “dangerous” for top players

For the 2021 Olympic champion, the first thing at the start on Sunday is “about being happy with his tennis again and playing his way into the tournament,” says the former national coach Barbara Rittner in conversation with Eurosport.de.

Specifically, this means: “Zverev has to find his top form again, towards his aggressive style with a good serve, which also makes him dangerous for the top players.” The Grand Slam title mission is and remains a Herculean task for Zverev, on various levels.

This might also interest you: Tricky lot – Zverev against the Grand Slam curse
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Caught cold by a backhand: Zverev out at the 1 point slam

Which: Eurosport

James Whitfield

James Whitfield is Archysport's racket sports and golf specialist, bringing a global perspective to tennis, badminton, and golf coverage. Based between London and Singapore, James has covered Grand Slam tournaments, BWF World Tour events, and major golf championships on five continents. His reporting combines on-the-ground access with deep knowledge of the technical and strategic elements that separate elite athletes from the rest of the field. James is fluent in English, French, and Mandarin, giving him unique access to athletes across the global tennis and badminton circuits.

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