Andre Agassi, despite Alexander Zverev’s recent defeat to Novak Djokovic, is still full of praise for the 28-year-old.
After all, despite his clear mental struggles, he has consistently been one of the top players on the men’s tour for some time now.
He’s a relentless threat in every event, but just struggles to take that final, illustrious step to Grand Slam glory.
Despite that, Agassi remains insistent that Alexander Zverev has one shot in particular that might even be one of the best on tour right now.
Andre Agassi praises Alexander Zverev
Chatting to the TNT Sports panel, Agassi commentated over the footage of Zverev’s lung-busting 41-shot rally with Novak Djokovic, highlighting both the issues and positives he saw.
He began whilst the two were exchanging comfortable, deep balls with one another, noting: ‘This Zverev can do all day.
‘The problem is he has he needs to have more of a game than this against Novak. Novak’s not moving in.
‘They both have a great backhand. I think Alex, Sascha, is the best in the game possibly. But you see that, the first ball that goes on the forehand side, the dude backs up and gives Novak complete control of the point.
‘I guess nobody has control of the point of the moment. That’s what drives me nuts, it’s him having to wait to hit a forehand. You’re in control… Oh, look at these guys cover the territory. They make me so glad I’m sitting here.’
Alexander Zverev’s torrid Grand Slam final record
It’s no secret that Zverev’s grand ambition now, at this stage of his career, is just to win that elusive Grand Slam.
After all, he’s come so close on so many occasions, continually failing to take the final step towards tennis immortality.
Far worse players than himself have claimed that prize, but it is arguably this pressure which is only making it more difficult for the German to snag a title.
He is widely regarded as one of, if not the best player to have never won a major, and he likely is well aware of this with every new event that rolls around. He expects so much from himself, as the tennis community does as well, making for a lethal combination.
Tim Henman told Zverev what he must change to win a Grand Slam, but it’s clear there is far more to it than just what he notes.
In 2020, he found himself two-sets-to-love up against Dominic Thiem, yet somehow conspired to lose that US Open final in a fifth-set tiebreak.
Then again, last year, he was two-sets-to-one up on Carlos Alcaraz, but again fell apart in the French Open final.
His loss to Jannik Sinner in this year’s Australian Open final was easier to take given how rampant the Italian was, but it’s arguably only getting harder to win these Grand Slams as the aforementioned duo increase their stranglehold on the sport.
It will take something special to topple them, but it will arguably take something even greater to overcome the mental obstacles he has put in his own way.
