French Open 2023: Exclusive: Boris Becker concerned about Alexander Zverev and highlights ‘problem’

Eurosport’s Boris Becker has shared his concerns for his compatriot Alexander Zverev, who he believes is “being a bit overtaken by the younger players” such as Carlos Alcaraz.

“I think that’s the bigger problem. Tennis changes every 18 months. That means you always have to improve accordingly. You get the impression that he hasn’t improved and the opponents know exactly how they have to play against Sascha in 2023. That is a problem!

“You want to win free points and create surprise moments. I watched the match against Alcaraz: it was two worlds. A year ago, he beat Alcaraz in Paris and was on his way to beating the unbeatable Nadal, and possibly Ruud in the final. Sascha would have become the new No. 1.

“That’s in the past, and 12 months later, the stark reality is brutal. That’s the sport. He is fit again but can’t manage to match the form he had a year ago. There are many reasons for that.

“What is important, and he is always extremely self-critical, is that he realises this, that he is honest with himself and doesn’t blame bad luck, bad fortune, wind or too hot a sun – but the fact that he doesn’t play enough.

“I am sure he will address this in his team and then also train better again. In my opinion, Zverev is not playing tennis properly at the moment.”

While in the past, Zverev had been looking to overhaul Rafael Nadal, Novak Djokovic and Roger Federer, Becker believes that he has to now be seriously concerned by the rise of players younger than him.

“The focus now is no longer on the big three: Nadal, Djokovic and Federer. Sascha has to look in the rear-view mirror and he is, unfortunately, being a bit overtaken by the younger players. We have talked a lot about Alcaraz, but I also mention Sinner, Rune and Fritz.

“Last but not least, there is Sebastian Korda, who was badly injured in Melbourne, but whom I have on my list. They will play for Grand Slams in the future. That’s the problem.

“You have a window in your career in which you have to win the first Grand Slams because the competition never sleeps. With Sascha, that didn’t happen for various reasons.

“He now has to look at why the new generation of players mentioned is so good, what they do better and what is different. Do I have to change or adapt my game?

“Let’s take the pressure that Sascha develops with his strokes, especially over the backhand and on serve. So, suddenly you have four others who also play with a lot of pressure from the baseline, but they are five years younger.

“In addition, they haven’t had any negative experiences yet, and they come to the tournaments as fresh as a daisy. They know they haven’t even played here yet or they were in the qualifying last year. So it can only go up, which means less pressure.”

– – –