Since losing the Australian Open final Alexander Zverev has been struggling for his desired results.
The German was beaten in straight sets by Jannik Sinner, who successfully defended his title at Melbourne Park.
In the five months since that result, Alexander Zverev has claimed one title but failed to make an impression in the other tournaments he has competed in.
He is finding it difficult to raise his game to the level required to succeed at the highest level, but a former player who was able to do so, has some advice for him.
Jimmy Connors advises Alexander Zverev on how to improve his game
Zverev has found life tough on the ATP Tour since losing January’s Australian Open final.
In the 11 events he has entered since competing Down Under, the 27-year-old has only progressed to the semi-finals or better just once.
That moment came when he won the Munich Open in April. Zverev’s loss in Melbourne took a significant toll on him and he has not been able to recover.
He will soon have another chance of success at the Wimbledon Championships, and former champion at SW19 Jimmy Connors has told the World number three what he must do to raise his level.
“Maybe he needs to throw a few mix ups into his game and not just play the same way all the time,” the eight-time Grand Slam winner said via his podcast. “Alcaraz has learned that. He mixes his shots up a little bit, throws some slices, some drop shots, comes into the net.
“Sometimes you have to do things you are not so comfortable with on occasion just to get that into your opponent’s mind too.
“You have got to mix things up a little bit and I think a lot of the guys get so comfortable in their one style of play. Does he need a coach? I don’t know. Who has been his coach, I don’t even know.
“But a lot of these players have so many people around them that can’t they see? Can’t they understand? Eight eyes are better than two, if you have four people around you to notice why are you losing these matches and what happens here.”
Alexander Zverev aims to return to form at the Stuttgart Open
Zverev has found success in his native Germany so far this season and he will return there this week.
The World number three will compete at the Stuttgart Open to commence his 2025 grass court season.
Zverev will play in Stuttgart for the first time since 2019 and he is desperate to have a strong result in front of his home fans.
“Physically, it’s difficult to play here. You don’t really have any preparation time and the risk of injury is a bit higher on grass if you’re not 100 percent fresh,” he said.
“But this is a tournament I really like, and I’m very happy to be back. When I’m here, I want to give everything to get far and win.”
