‘He Is Constantly Fighting’: Alexander Zverev’s Brother Answers Boris Becker’s Criticism Over Australian Open 2022 Performance

World number 3 Alexander Zverev was knocked out of Australian Open 2022 in the fourth round by Canadian Denis Shapovalov. Zverev didn’t look at his usual level in the game and the straight sets defeat drew criticism from German legend Boris Becker. However, in a recent interview, Mischa Zverev, Alexander’s brother, responded to Becker’s reproval.

Becker, who was part of the post-match analysis show, said that he hasn’t seen Zverev playing so passively in a very long time. He said, “You can lose and play badly, but you can always make an effort and leave your soul on the pitch.”

Mischa Zverev, while talking to Tennis Magazin, defended Alexander’s performance. He explained that his brother was in a stressful situation but that “inside, however, he [Zverev] is constantly fighting.”

As per Mischa, Sascha handled the difficult emotional situation in his way. Everyone handles that burden differently. He said, “I show my emotions differently. That’s a misunderstanding one has. Just when someone looks listless doesn’t mean they are listless.”

(Quotes have been translated using Google Translate)

Mischa Zverev claims “emotional burden” cost Alexander Zverev the match

As per Mischa, the Olympic Gold Medalist Zverev was under immense pressure to perform, and the pressure was from within. The German ended 2021 on a high note, winning his 19th ATP title by defeating Daniil Medvedev in Turin. 

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But right after the offseason, he didn’t feel the same way while playing in Melbourne. He wanted to play better and better in each game, but that added an extra burden on him. This emotional struggle and burden were tough to handle for the 24-year-old.

Mischa said, “He never had that perfect feel for his entire game in Melbourne. He always had the feeling that something was missing. It was a vicious circle from which he could not free himself.”

Alexander’s performance in Australia under “pressure”

The German started the season with a career-high 3rd rank. He played in the ATP cup in Melbourne. But Felix Auger-Aliassime defeated him in group stages only. Before the Slam began, Zverev had made hefty claims about he, Medvedev, and Djokovic being the new big 3, but he crippled under that pressure. He was outdone in straight sets by Canadian Denis Shapovalov. 

While giving an example of eventual Slam winner Rafael Nadal, 34-year Mischa said, “With Rafa it was the other way around. Emotionally, he was so happy that he could play at all, that his emotional happiness carried him through the tournament, although sometimes he didn’t play his best tennis.”

After the exit from the Happy Slam, Alexander accepted a wildcard for the ATP 250 tournament in Montpellier. But there again he lost the final match in 2 sets against Alexander Bublik.