Zverev: Best Player Never to Win a Major?

Alexander Zverev, the current world No. 3, is facing increasing scrutiny as he continues his quest for a maiden Grand Slam title. Despite an impressive career that includes 24 ATP Tour singles titles, an Olympic gold medal, and two ATP Finals victories, the elusive Grand Slam trophy remains out of reach. Former American professional Andy Roddick has weighed in on the pressure Zverev faces, questioning whether the German star risks being remembered as the best player never to win a major.

Roddick’s Perspective: Pressure and Expectations

In a recent episode of his podcast, Andy Roddick analyzed Zverev’s situation, acknowledging the immense talent and achievements the 28-year-old possesses. However, Roddick also pointed out the shadow cast by the absence of a Grand Slam title.

“The biggest criticism you can make is that he’s not Roger, Rafa, Novak, Alcaraz, or Sinner,” Roddick stated. “The reality is, he’s clearly the best player not to have won a Grand Slam at this point in his career.”

Roddick emphasized the added pressure on Zverev due to the constant discussion surrounding his Grand Slam drought. He posed a thought-provoking question: “Does he want to be the best player to have never won a Major? Or does he win a Major and he goes past people like me and Medvedev and all these other people who his career statistics stack up favorably against except for the ranking and the Major.”

Zverev’s Grand Slam History: Close Calls and Missed Opportunities

Alexander Zverev has reached three Grand Slam finals in his career:

• 2020 US Open: Lost to Dominic Thiem in five sets after leading by two sets.
• 2024 French Open: Lost to Carlos Alcaraz in five sets after being up two sets to one.
• 2025 Australian Open: Lost to Jannik Sinner in straight sets.

In addition to these finals, Zverev has also reached the semi-finals of the Australian Open (2020), French Open (2023), demonstrating his consistent presence at the top stages of major tournaments.

The Weight of Expectations: Can Zverev Break Through?

The pressure on Zverev to win a Grand Slam is palpable. Once hailed as the future of men’s tennis, he has since been overtaken by the likes of Carlos Alcaraz and Jannik Sinner in the eyes of many. While he has consistently ranked among the top players in the world, the lack of a major title is often used as a point of criticism.

Zverev’s supporters argue that his accomplishments should not be diminished by this absence. They point to his impressive record against top players, his Masters 1000 titles, Olympic gold medal and his resilience in overcoming a severe ankle injury sustained at the 2022 French Open.

The Road Ahead: Wimbledon and Beyond

As Alexander Zverev prepares for the Wimbledon Championships, he faces a crucial juncture in his career. He is using the Halle Open as a warm-up event, hoping to fine-tune his game and build momentum. The question remains: can Zverev rise to the occasion and finally claim that elusive Grand Slam title? Or will he succumb to the pressure and be forever labeled as the best player never to taste major glory?

Other Players in the Conversation: “Best Never To Win”

While Roddick specifically comments on Zverev in this case, the question of the “best player never to win a Grand Slam” has been posed about other players, both currently playing and in the past. Some names that often come up in this discussion include:

• Marcelo Ríos: The Chilean reached world No. 1 in 1998 but never won a Grand Slam, with his best result being a runner-up finish at the 1998 Australian Open.
• Dinara Safina: The Russian also reached world No. 1 but fell short in Grand Slam finals, losing all three she contested.
• Jelena Janković: Another former world No. 1 without a Grand Slam title, the Serbian was a US Open finalist in 2008.
• Andy Murray: Before his breakthrough at the 2012 US Open, Murray was often mentioned in this context, having lost four Grand Slam finals.
• Daniil Medvedev: Before winning the US Open in 2021, some considered Medvedev to be in the discussion.

Zverev’s Accomplishments and Career at a Glance

• Full Name: Alexander “Sascha” Zverev
• Country: Germany
• Born: April 20, 1997 (age 28) in Hamburg, Germany
• Height: 6 ft 6 in (1.98 m)
• Plays: Right-handed (two-handed backhand)
• Current Ranking: No. 3 (June 9, 2025)
• Highest Ranking: No. 2 (June 13, 2022)
• ATP Tour Titles: 24 (Singles), 2 (Doubles)
• Grand Slam Finals: 3 (0 titles, 3 runner-up)
  • US Open: Runner-up (2020)
  • French Open: Runner-up (2024)
  • Australian Open: Runner-up (2025)
• ATP Finals: Champion (2018, 2021)
• Olympics: Gold Medal (2020 Tokyo)
• Junior Achievements: Former junior world No. 1, 2014 Australian Open Junior Champion

Conclusion: A Defining Moment

Alexander Zverev’s career stands at a defining moment. While he has achieved considerable success and established himself as one of the top players in the world, the absence of a Grand Slam title continues to loom large. As he enters Wimbledon and the remaining Grand Slam tournaments of the year, Zverev has the opportunity to silence his critics and cement his place among the all-time greats. Whether he can overcome the pressure and seize the moment remains to be seen.