A 47–21 record would satisfy most players, yet for Alexander Zverev, it’s still not enough. The German, who’s kept his place inside the Top 5 of the ATP rankings, hasn’t had much luck at tournaments this season. Reaching the finals at the Australian Open and the Boss Open and winning just one title at the BMW Open stand as his only real highlights. Other than that? He’s struggling to find his footing. Between physical issues and mental fatigue, the World No. 3 simply isn’t happy.

After being ousted by Arthur Rinderknech in the round of 32 at the Shanghai Masters, Sascha was left speechless. Fans were frustrated to see him exit early again, even calling him out for his comments about the court speed. But for the German, it’s not about what others say—it’s about what he’s actually bringing to the court.

Speaking after the match, Alexander Zverev didn’t hold back. “My season has been terrible. I have no confidence in myself and I don’t believe in my shots. I’m playing awful tennis in every aspect,” he admitted. “Let’s see if this year I’ll manage to be fully healthy again. It’s really tough, the last time I played a tournament without pain was the Australian Open.” What’s he talking about?

Well, while he’s been giving his all at tournaments, his body hasn’t always cooperated. Specifically, a back issue has been bothering him. It began right before the China swing, around the Laver Cup. Sascha even mentioned he needed treatment for it before heading into the Asian stretch.

Zverev continued playing through pain in Beijing, pushing past Lorenzo Sonego and Corentin Moutet despite the lingering discomfort. The World No. 3 revealed he needed an injection to compete, admitting he “didn’t feel good physically” during his latest match against Moutet on the Diamond Court.

Still, his grit showed when it mattered. “I had some pain,” he said after the win, reflecting on moments when frustration bubbled up. “I was a bit down on myself at times because of that, but when it mattered, I fought, and in the third set, I thought I played the best tennis.” Even while hurting, the German found another gear—proof of why he’s still one of the toughest competitors on tour, even if that run ended in the quarterfinals.

On another note, Sascha has has been making strides to improve himself this season. He worked with Rafael Nadal’s uncle, Toni Nadal, which sparked rumors that he ight be joining the German’s team. Although Zverev dismissed it as something that is yet to be seen. But other than that, when it comes to his form, he wasn’t taking critism lightly.

Alexander Zverev shoots back at former ATP pro for unsolicited coaching tips

Back in June, worries grew for Zverev after his four-set loss to Novak Djokovic in the French Open quarterfinals. Soon after, Boris Becker stirred the pot by questioning Zverev’s coaching team. The seven-time Grand Slam champ said, “At some point, you need new noises and a new environment. It’s the same in football, as a football coach, you don’t normally stay with a club for 10 years. He is the one who decides. He is the chairman of the board, the CEO. He decides what Team Zverev will look like in the future. His father and brother did an excellent job, but it wasn’t good enough for the final step.” Becker clearly suggested that Zverev’s coaching setup, led by his father and brother, might be holding him back.

Sascha wasn’t having it. Speaking in Stuttgart ahead of his tournament return, he fired back with a grin, “When things aren’t going well for me, suddenly everyone seems to become very smart. Unfortunately, that also applies to Boris. I came back from a very serious injury and managed to get back to number 2 in the world.” He made it clear he’s proud of how far he’s come despite the critics.

Sure, the season hasn’t been all smooth sailing, but he’s shown glimpses of hard work. After he French Open exit, Alexander Zverev reached the finals at the Boss Open and the semis at Halle, along with some strong runs in Montreal and Cincinnati. But early losses also piled up, including a first-round exit at Wimbledon and a third-round departure at the US Open, showing the rollercoaster ride he’s been on.

But he still kept his head high in response to Becker, “I still see myself as a candidate to compete against the two guys up there. I lost to Djokovic, not to Hans Peter, who is ranked 250 in the world. I also had a lot of contact with Boris before he made that statement. I still have massive respect for him. I will always listen to what he has to say, but I don’t always have to agree.” Zverev’s respect for Becker remains, but the German is standing firm on his path.

Now, as Zverev gears up for the Six Kings Slam in Riyadh and looks ahead to the Paris Masters and ATP Finals, fans are wondering: Will he come back with renewed energy to close out 2025 on a high? Let us know what you think in the comments below!