AUDIO: What’s going on for Zverev in Melbourne? (5 mins)
As of: January 16, 2026 1:29 p.m
The Australian Open, the first tennis Grand Slam tournament of the year, begins on Sunday in Melbourne. Last year’s finalist Alexander Zverev wants to defeat his “Grand Slam curse” in Melbourne. To achieve this, the Hamburg player worked specifically on weaknesses in his game during preparation.
The stars joined hands two days before the start of the Australian Open. Whether Aryna Sabalenka and Iga Swiatek for the women or Carlos Alcaraz, Jannik Sinner and Zverev for the men. Everyone completed the now usual press conferences before things get serious on the pitch on Sunday.
The topic of conversation of the day, however, was a completely different one: Roger Federer. The 44-year-old Swiss, who has officially been retired from tennis for a good three years, showed in front of 10,000 spectators in the training match against the Norwegian Caspar Ruud that he has forgotten very little. Almost as physically fit as before and at least so good in terms of play that he could be a serious sparring partner for Ruud. He’s a crowd favorite anyway. Federer signed autographs for minutes after training.
Zverev is looking for seclusion
A stark contrast: Germany’s best. Zverev sought seclusion, trained with Andrej Rublev in camera, away from the hustle and bustle. The 28-year-old from Hamburg was already focused on Sunday. Because it could be a complicated task against the 2.03 meter tall Canadian Gabriel Diallo. “He’s dangerous. He serves at 230 kilometers per hour, has a very fast forehand and tries to keep the rallies short,” explained Zverev.
Zverev has been in Melbourne for ten days and was one of the first to arrive. He didn’t spare himself in training and trained a lot with the best. In addition to Rublev also with Alcaraz and Taylor Fritz. He also won a show fight against the Italian Lorenzo Musetti. “I’m glad it’s starting. I’ve trained enough now and I feel ready.”
“I trained specifically to attack balls passively hit by the opponent in an aggressive manner. And I also worked on my serv-volley game.”
Alexander Zverev
Like his toughest competitors, the world number three picked out individual aspects of his game during the winter break in order to improve them. “I trained specifically to attack balls passively hit by the opponent in an aggressive manner. And I also worked on the serve volley game.”
Not a satisfactory year 2025
The playing deficits coupled with many minor injuries ensured that Zverev, as he himself says, did not have a satisfactory 2025. But: “Others might have ended the season earlier and ended the year not in third place, but in 10th place. And that’s a good thing in a way.”
On the one hand, on the other. Like last year here in Melbourne. Zverev played an extremely strong tournament right up to the final, was so close to the first, so longed-for Grand Slam title, only to then have no chance against Sinner. So hopeless that Zverev left Melbourne devastated and didn’t actually recover for the entire season.
Discussions about trainers
The discussions about a new coach who would finally get Zverev out of his playing stagnation did not stop. And of course, many former professionals are being brought into play as replacements for Zverev’s father, Alexander Senior.
Federer was also asked here in Melbourne whether he could imagine the role as a coach. Not specifically aimed at Zverev, but in general. But it would be an attractive combination. As opponents on the pitch, the two always got along well and respected each other extremely well.
Federer answered the question about the coaching role with a smile: “You should never say never. But I have a lot to do. And four children. So not at the moment.” You can try it.
