Alexander Zverev despondent after losing third Grand Slam final
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Alexander Zverev remains one of the world’s best players never to taste Grand Slam glory.
PHOTO: EPA-EFE
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MELBOURNE – World No. 2 Alexander Zverev cut a despondent figure after being convincingly beaten 6-3, 7-6 (7-4), 6-3 by top-ranked Jannik Sinner
He remains one of the world’s best players never to taste Grand Slam glory, falling short once again in his third Major final.
He finished runner-up to Carlos Alcaraz at the 2024 French Open and gave up a two-set lead in a loss to Dominic Thiem in the 2020 US Open decider.
Left in tears at Melbourne Park, the 27-year-old’s miserable night was compounded by a heckler in the crowd who made reference to domestic violence allegations he has faced in recent years.
“First of all, it sucks standing here next to this thing and not being able to touch it,” the red-eyed German said of the winner’s Norman Brookes Challenge Cup.
“Congrats to Jannik, you’re the best player in the world by far. I was hoping that I could be more of a competitor today but you’re too good.
“I don’t know if I’ll ever be able to lift the trophy but I’ll keep coming back, I’ll keep trying.”
His attempt to make those comments were initially interrupted by a person in the crowd yelling repeatedly: “Australia believes Olga and Brenda”.
In June, Zverev’s lawyers said he had agreed to a settlement after the mother of his child, Brenda Patea, accused him of physical abuse and a German court closed the case. Zverev has repeatedly rejected the allegations by Patea.
In January 2023, the men’s tennis governing body ATP, citing insufficient evidence, closed an investigation that had been launched after another ex-girlfriend, tennis player Olga Sharypova, accused Zverev of domestic abuse.
Asked about the heckler, Zverev said: “I believe there are no more accusations. There haven’t been for, what, nine months now. Good for her.
“I think I’ve done everything I can and I’m not about to open that subject again.”
In 2024, Sinner needed five sets to tame Daniil Medvedev and win his first Grand Slam title in Melbourne, but it never looked like going the distance this time as he claimed his third Major crown after the US Open triumph in 2024.
He opened with a statement ace and won his first two service games to love, with Zverev struggling to get himself into the contest.
Jannik Sinner at a press conference after his Australian Open victory.
PHOTO: AFP
Zverev gave up the decisive break in the sixth game of the third set but, arguably, the German’s spirit had already been broken by an unlucky incident that turned the second-set tiebreak in Sinner’s favour.
It was level pegging at 4-4 in the tiebreak when the 23-year-old Italian’s shot hit the net cord and the ball dribbled over.
Sinner then thumped down a huge serve and converted the first of two set points, thrashing a furious forehand winner from the baseline.
Gutted, Zverev smashed his racket as he returned to his chair and whacked it again after sitting down.
The sting was gone as Zverev dropped serve to trail 4-2 in the third set with a forehand that sailed over the baseline.
“He’s very, very similar to Novak when he was at his best,” Zverev said, drawing favourable comparisons between Sinner and 24-time Major champion Djokovic.
“They barely miss, they make you think like you have to overhit all the time to have a chance in a rally against them.
“It’s very, very difficult to win a point from the back of the court against them. They’re constantly on the baseline. They don’t give you any space. They don’t give you any time. I mean, just right now too good for me.”
Zverev’s greatest achievement to date is winning the singles gold at the pandemic-delayed Tokyo Olympics in 2021. REUTERS, AFP
