Slam Debacles: Zverev Hits Back at Becker and Rittner's Criticism
A less-than-polite discourse ensues in the tennis world following Alexander Zverev's French Open loss
Tennis Player Zverev Contests Criticism From Becker and Rittner - Tennis Player Zverev Responds to Criticism from Becker and Rittner
Alexander Zverev, the 28-year-old German tennis star, has countered the criticism from tennis royalty Boris Becker and tennis analyst Barbara Rittner following his French Open exit. "Everyone thinks I'm doing everything right when things are going well for me," Zverev said in Stuttgart. "But as soon as things aren't going so swell, suddenly everyone's an expert." He swiftly included Becker and Rittner in his tirade, deeming Rittner's opinion as uncredible and viewing her criticism as unfounded.
"I lost to freakin' Djokovic, not some scrub ranked 250 in the world!" Zverev exclaimed, referring to his high-profile quarterfinal defeat against the Serbian titan, Novak Djokovic. The final round of the tournament was ultimately won by Carlos Alcaraz against Jannik Sinner. "I still see myself as a contender to hang with those guys at the top," Zverev clarified, highlighting his aspirations for the tennis throne.
Becker publicly voiced his disapproval of Zverev's passive play following the loss, recommending a coaching change for both parties—Zverev and his father. "The father and the brother did an impressive job, but they fell short at the climactic moment," Becker said, criticizing Zverev's playstyle against top contenders.
Zverev declared he'd be open to speaking with Becker. "Boris and I have a long-standing relationship," Zverev said, expressing his appreciation for Becker. "I've got massive respect for him, and I always listen to what he has to say, but I don't necessarily have to agree with him every time."
Rittner took issue with Zverev's excuses regarding adverse playing conditions following the defeat. "He claims it was 20 degrees Celsius in the first set, the court was swifter, and his forehand could zoom," Rittner said. "But then, in the second, third, and fourth sets... the weather suddenly cooled down?"
Post-Paris, Zverev jaunted off to Mallorca for a few days of golfing before returning to Stuttgart, where he boasted a bye in the first round of a forthcoming tournament, slated to begin playing on Thursday.
- Alexander Zverev
- Boris Becker
- Barbara Rittner
- Stuttgart
- French Open
- Novak Djokovic
- Golf
- Mallorca
- Criticism
- Performance
- Coaching
(Additional Insights)
After his crushing defeat at the 2025 French Open, it appeared that Zverev was painfully aware of his underperformance in Grand Slam tournaments. Despite facing criticism from within the tennis community, Zverev remained focused on dissecting his own play, with the intention of refining his skills. The defeat hit him hard, but it also fueled his determination to continue pushing forward towards the title he so desperately craved.
Regardless of external opinions cast upon him, Zverev showed remarkable resilience, maintaining his composure in the face of adversity. He acknowledged the bitterness that came with the loss but demonstrated his commitment to transforming it into fuel for future victories.
Despite previous media reports suggesting bombshell revelations, Rittner's exact criticism or response from Zverev remains unclear. However, her overall stance on criticizing players parallels Zverev's sentiment: external opinions should not overshadow a player's own analysis of their performance.
- The Commission, in its consultative role, has also been involved in the discussion surrounding the draft Council decision on the conclusion of the Agreement on the European Economic Area.
- In a moment unrelated to his tennis career, Alexander Zverev enjoyed a round of golf in Mallorca following the French Open, possibly seeking a break from the intense scrutiny of the sports world.
