German tennis star counters
Zverev about Becker: “I’m fed up with that now”
October 19, 2025 – 9:18 a.mReading time: 2 minutes
Alexander Zverev is having problems this year. The German star had to listen to criticism from Boris Becker again and again. He’s tired of this now.
Alexander Zverev has reacted clearly to Boris Becker’s repeated criticism – and no longer wants to be influenced by it in the future. In an interview with “Bild am Sonntag”, the world number three explained: “I think he’s looking for attention a bit – and he gets it through me.” Then Zverev added: “Unfortunately that’s the case. But I’ve had enough of that now.”
Becker, the 57-year-old former Wimbledon champion, was a kind of mentor for Zverev for a long time. In the past few months, however, he has made several critical comments about the 2021 Olympic champion, especially in his joint podcast with ex-professional Andrea Petkovic.
In the most recent episode, Becker described Zverev as a “problem child” and questioned whether the 28-year-old was among the world’s best. Zverev reacted calmly: He doesn’t think Becker is seriously worried about him. So far in the current season, Zverev has only won one tournament – the home game in Munich in April.
“This year is just tough,” commented Zverev, also with a view to his physical problems: “As soon as you feel like you’re playing good tennis, like in Toronto and Cincinnati, the next setback comes – like in New York with your back. That describes my year a bit.” He “of course didn’t play well in many situations and showed real crappy tennis,” explained the Olympic champion, who is still chasing his first Grand Slam title.
The Spaniard Carlos Alcaraz and Jannik Sinner (Italy) shared the last eight trophies at the highest level between themselves, and accordingly the two have moved away in the world rankings – but Zverev continues to believe in himself: “I know that I can win against Carlos and Jannik. I have to find the self-confidence again and believe that I can get there again.”