The 2025 season has been quite a mixed bag for Alexander Zverev. He kicked things off with a run to the 2025 Australian Open final, his third Grand Slam final but the first time he made it that far in Melbourne. The major title slipped through his fingers each time, leaving him heartbroken again. His first crack was at the 2024 French Open, then the 2020 US Open, and now Melbourne.

Despite the near misses, Zverev has built quite a resume: 24 titles and a career win-loss record of 510-218 since turning pro in 2013. This year, he snagged a title at the BMW Open, but overall, his season has been a rollercoaster of ups and downs. Now that all the Slams have wrapped up, all eyes turn toward 2026. What can the Germans’ chances be to finally land that elusive major title? Let’s dive in.

Zverev’s chances against the “New Two”

Currently, men’s tennis feels like it belongs to World No.1 Carlos Alcaraz and No.2 Jannik Sinner. Sitting just behind them is Alexander Zverev, fighting to punch his way back to the very top. The German reached a career-high of No.2 back in 2022 and was holding strong at No.2 again earlier this year before Alcaraz surged with his blistering May run that flipped the rankings. For Sascha, it’s become a constant chase, his career framed by duels with the game’s youngest superstars.

What makes his story even more compelling is the resilience behind it. Since 2017, the Germans’ only fall from the top 10 came during a six-month absence after that unforgettable 2022 French Open semifinal against Rafael Nadal, where he exited injured mid-battle against the eventual champion. By September 2023, after a period of recovery and adaptation, he fought his way back into the top 10. Since then, he’s been one of the key players in this high-energy era, going toe-to-toe with Alcaraz at the 2024 Roland Garros final and with Jannik Sinner at the 2025 Australian Open final.

Alexander Zverev knows the narrative revolves around the “New Two”, but he’s not ready to be a supporting character. “Maybe it hasn’t been my best year, but I don’t think I’m as far away as some people may think,” he told Tennis365 in July.

“At the moment, Carlos is the kind of the star boy now. He just brings great energy to the court and along with Jannik, they are the players to beat. I just hope to spoil their party a little bit and I think I can do that.” Even after slipping from No.3 when Alcaraz took Rome in May, the German sounded upbeat. “Carlos is a great guy. He is fun to be around and he always has a smile on his face. If he can avoid any controversies, he is going to be very, very loved by tennis fans.”

And here’s the twist: Sascha isn’t just hanging around, he’s beating them too. Against Sinner, he holds a narrow 4-3 edge, and against Alcaraz, he’s tied at 6-6. Sure, the Spaniard and the Italian have swept every Grand Slam since 2024, shaping a two-man takeover that rolls into 2026. But the world no.3 remains convinced he can sneak in and shake things up. With his experience and tactical edge, he’s clearly not done spoiling anyone’s party, and it’s fair to say these two aren’t his only threats.

Alexander Zverev faces new competition entering the Top 10

The freshest threats are stars like Ben Shelton, who bounced into the Top 10 in 2025 (currently ranked: No.6) and snagged his first Masters 1000 title at the Canadian Open, defeating Karen Khachanov in the final. Shelton’s lefty serve has become one of the tour’s most feared weapons, and his clutch ability to save break points ranks him among the best this year. For Zverev, Shelton is no easy out; he can derail even the top seeds deep into tournaments, complicating the path to any Slam.

Holger Rune is another big-name threat Sascha has to watch closely. The Dane returned to blistering form in 2025, including a stunning win over Alcaraz to take the Barcelona Open crown, one of his biggest career titles. He also made deep runs at Indian Wells and climbed steadily back into the Top 10. Rune’s aggressive baseline game and knack for toppling elite players mean Zverev isn’t just battling Alcaraz and Sinner anymore; he’s dealing with a whole new wave of fighters ready to shake things up.

Beyond those two, tough competition splits the Top 10 players. Taylor Fritz holds down No. 4, having secured three tour titles in Stuttgart and Eastbourne. Even making it to the finals at Tokyo most recently. He even holds an edge over Alexander in their H2H at 9-5! On the other hand, Jack Draper is making waves at No. 8 with impressive results, winning his maiden 1000s Masters at Indian Wells.

Even Daniil Medvedev, though not as dominant as before, standing at No. 18, still pushed past 400 ATP Tour wins in 2025, showing remarkable staying power. Players like Casper Ruud and Alex de Minaur consistently reach late stages in majors, reminding everyone that the field has no easy days ahead.

For Zverev, this means the 2026 Slam race looks more daunting than ever. Early rounds won’t be walkovers. As he tries to navigate a crowded field, he faces the established dominance of Alcaraz and Sinner. It comes with a deep roster of hungry young guns ready to pounce. It’s a battle royale out there, but the challenge doesn’t stop there either!

Alexander Zverev’s challenges with form and health

Sascha’s 2025 season has been a wild ride, packed with highs and tough lows. He started strong by reaching the Australian Open final, looking like his old self. But things took a sharp turn after that, with a shocking first-round Wimbledon exit, his earliest Slam loss since 2019, and a stretch of inconsistent performances.

Reflecting on his rough patch, Alexander Zverev admitted, “I have not won many matches. So it’s been the worst period since my injury last few months… My ball is much slower. I stop hitting the ball… Nothing changes. So it’s me who lost the match, once again.” His frustration has been evident, especially when matches slipped away despite promising starts.

Physically, the German has struggled too, battling dizziness and breathlessness, most notably in Cincinnati. He took a medical timeout in his semifinal against Alcaraz, saying, “My head is spinning. I can’t get any air into my lungs.” Though he fought on, these issues and ongoing back problems clearly affected his overall fitness and sharpness as the season progressed.

Mental toughness has been another challenge. After that early Wimbledon exit, the World No.3 opened up about feeling isolated and drained: “I feel very alone out there… Mentally, I’ve been saying that I’ve struggled since after the Australian Open… I feel generally speaking quite alone in life at the moment, which is a feeling that is not very nice.” Since then, he took a break to focus on his mental health, and by August, he said he was “a lot better” and “on the right path,” coming back strong with semifinal runs in Toronto and Cincinnati.

Statistically, Sascha’s year reflects this rollercoaster ride. He sits at a 47-20 win-loss record with a solid first-serve percentage of around 67% and averages 6.47 aces per match. Despite the ups and downs, he remains confident: “Maybe it hasn’t been my best year, but I don’t think I’m as far away as some people may think.”

These combined physical and mental challenges shape his current battle to reclaim his prime and contend for a Grand Slam in an increasingly competitive field. What’s your take on this?