“The title doesn’t come to you” – Federer’s honest take on Zverev’s Grand Slam failures

Former world No 1 Roger Federer believes Alexander Zverev‘s game lacks the vigour required to win Grand Slam trophies.

Since turning pro in 2013, Zverev has entered the main draw at the Major 35 times, reaching two finals (US Open 2020 and French Open 2024), six semi-finals, and five quarter-finals. In the majority of those runs, he failed to grab the title from being in advantageous positions.

Federer, who promoted Zverev through his Team8 agency till 2021, talked about the shortcomings in world No 2’s game.

“I’m not his coach, so I can speak freely,” the Swiss said in a recent interview on the sidelines of Laver Cup (via Bluewin).

When I see him play, I see someone who plays far too passively, far too defensively in the decisive moments.

Roger Federer

He’s great in defence, but I think in order to win, he has to look for a way forward. If he implements this, he can achieve great things.”

In the US Open 2020 final, for instance, the German led Austria’s Dominic Thiem by two sets but ended up losing 2-6, 4-6, 6-4, 6-3, 7-6 (6).

A year later, he couldn’t convert a good start in the New York semi-finals against Novak Djokovic and lost 4-6, 6-2, 6-4, 4-6, 6-2.

More recently in 2024, he bottled a 2-0 lead against Russia’s Daniil Medvedev in the Australian Open last four to go down 5-7, 3-6, 7-6 (4), 7-6 (5), 6-3. Months later, he found himself close to French Open glory, being the forerunner after three sets, but seemingly threw away the fourth and fifth sets to suffer a 6-3, 2-6, 5-7, 6-1, 6-2 defeat.

In the final Grand Slam tournament of the 2024 season, he lost his last-eight encounter to American Taylor Fritz. He relied heavily on his defense, managing to save 11 break points in an otherwise 7-6 (2), 3-6, 6-4, 7-6 (3). Notably, in the fourth set, he threw away three set points as Fritz forced a tiebreaker and eventually secured the win.

In the interview, Federer assessed Zverev’s performance against the American in New York:

“Against the best players in the world, you have to take the initiative and play offensively. He didn’t do that against Fritz.”

The Swiss further showed faith in the world No 2’s ability but warned the glory won’t come to him unless he rises to the occasion on the big stages.

“It’s not much that’s missing,” Federer said. “But to win a Grand Slam, you have to trust your shots and play more offensively. He must believe in this path. Every cell in your body must feel that this is the only right way. The title doesn’t come to you. Especially not the first.”

“That’s nothing I don’t know” – Alexander Zverev responds to Roger Federer’s remark

Zverev notably responded to Federer’s remark in a press conference at the ongoing Laver Cup.

“That’s nothing I don’t know,” the German said. “It’s absolutely clear to me that I didn’t play the way I want to play. That was a terrible game from me. That’s why it’s completely okay what Roger said.”

Interestingly, Zverev has a chance at redemption against Taylor Fritz as he’s scheduled to take on the American on Day 2 of the Laver Cup. In terms of the official head-to-head record, the two are tied at five wins apiece.

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7-6 (2), 3-6, 6-4, 7-6 (3) : Stats and facts as Fritz beats Zverev in US Open Quarter-Final

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