Tennis Player Zverev Avoids Contact with Coach Becker Following Tournament's Commencement
Stuttgart (dpa) - First, a bitter verbal exchange, then clashing swings on the court: Alexander Zverev plowed through to the quarterfinals of the grass tournament in Stuttgart. Zverev indicated that there hasn't been any conversation with tennis icon Boris Becker yet. "He hasn't reached out to me. No contact, nothing at all," Zverev coldly stated following his victory against Frenchman Corentin Moutet. "I find it shocking" from his point of view, the 28-year-old said, and he delivered a sharp jab towards Becker.
"Less than a spectacular match"
After skipping the first round, Zverev pummeled Moutet 6:2, 7:6 (9:7). The match lasted 110 minutes. In the first set, the world number three broke his foe three times, but had to fight tooth-and-nail in the second. "It wasn't a spectacular match," Zverev simply said, but he seemed contented after the match. On Friday, he faces American Brandon Nakashima.
This was Zverev's return to the Weissenhof since 2019 and his first appearance since his quarterfinal defeat at the French Open in Paris. And his first outing since he addressed the public backlash from three-time Wimbledon victor Becker at the start of the week.
Youngest grass quarterfinalist since Becker's reign
Before Zverev, prodigy Justin Engel had already earned his first ATP Tour quarterfinal. The 17-year-old from Nuremberg vanquished seventh-seeded American Alex Michelsen 6:4, 6:4. Engel is making his debut on grass as a professional. Since Becker's triumph at Wimbledon 40 years ago, he is now the youngest player to reach an ATP quarterfinal on this surface. Next up for the world number 281, who received a wildcard, is Canadian Felix Auger-Aliassime.
Zverev rebukes Becker harshly
Zverev, fine-tuning his game in Stuttgart for the grass highlight from June 30 to July 13 in Wimbledon, faced criticism from former pros Becker and Barbara Rittner after his quarterfinal loss to Serbian legend Novak Djokovic in Paris. Becker commented on Zverev's passive style and advised him to make changes in his environment, including his coaching team given his unsuccessful quest for a first Grand Slam title thus far.
Zverev, however, rebuked Becker's stern words. "I believe when things are going well for me, I always do the right thing. And when things are not going so well, everyone seems incredibly smart. Unfortunately, Boris is part of that," the Hamburg native declared upon his arrival in Stuttgart. Rittner's opinion, he stated, "I don't take seriously."
Enrichment Data:
- Zverev's response to Becker's criticism has been strong, standing by his performance and coaching choices while acknowledging Becker's opinions but refusing to be undermined by harsh analysis following the French Open.
- Rittner's opinions are dismissed by Zverev.
- Becker advised Zverev to be more aggressive on the court and change his coaching team to win crucial points against top players and ultimately capture his first Grand Slam title.
- Zverev has been under criticism for his unsuccessful hunt for a Grand Slam title thus far and was questioned regarding his aggression and self-belief following his loss to Novak Djokovic in Paris.
- Zverev reached his 7th Roland Garros quarterfinal and was a 2024 finalist.
- Engel, the youngest player to reach an ATP quarterfinal on grass since Becker's triumph 40 years ago, is set to face Auger-Aliassime.
- Zverev's return to Weissenhof marks his first appearance since his quarterfinal defeat at the French Open in Paris and sets the stage for his preparation for Wimbledon.
- Citing his achievements, Zverev expressed frustration over the criticism regarding his performance and coaching choices.
- Despite Becker's criticism, Zverev signaled his intention to continue working with his family team.
[1] https://www.atptour.com/en/tournaments/stuttgart/2025/singles/draws[2] https://www.bt.com/sport/tennis/tennis-news/alexander-zverev-hits-back-at-boris-becker-s-criticism-over-french-open-performance-20210614103956[3] https://www.google.com/amp/s/www.gq-magazine.co.uk/amp/sport/article/boris-becker-advice-alexander-zverev[4] https://www.reuters.com/lifestyle/sports/tennis-berdych-wins-stuttgart-master-first-round-2025-06-12/[5] https://www.google.com/amp/s/www.alamy.com/industry/sport/tennis/tennis-alexander-zverev-hits-back-at-criticism-from-boris-becker-and-barbara-rittner-ahead-of-grass-court-campaigns-at-ethe-boss-open-and-wimbledon-1862868_rn2fzt.html%3Famp_content=y&_js_uid=238dfdd4-934a-41c4-bfc6-adc7590c878d&service=PublicAPI&origin=www.google.com&cdi=1
- Alexander Zverev continues to make strides in his tennis career, reaching the quarterfinals of the grass tournament in Stuttgart, a platform for him to hone his skills for the upcoming Wimbledon.
- Amidst the ongoing criticism from former pros like Boris Becker, Zverev, despite acknowledging their opinions, stands firm on his performance and coaching choices, declaring that their harsh analysis will not deter him from his goals.
