Boris Becker has some advice for Alexander Zverev. © APA / MAX SLOVENCIK

“Always very clever”: Zverev defends himself against Becker

A little bickering happens in love, too – that's how Alexander Zverev describes his dispute with Boris Becker. But that's not all.

June 10, 2025

From: dpa

"In every relationship, whether with a partner or someone else, there are issues to contend with. This is perhaps one of them right now," said Germany's current top tennis player. About two months after photos of their training together surfaced, they are airing their disagreement in public.

Zverev responded to the three-time Wimbledon champion's criticism with a counter-criticism. "I think when things are going well for me, I always do everything right. And when things are going badly for me, everyone is always very, very clever. Unfortunately, Boris is one of them," the 28-year-old countered when asked in Stuttgart whether he had heard the call for a coaching change.

The reason for this is the Hamburg native's French Open exit last week against record Grand Slam winner Novak Djokovic. Becker publicly denounced his once again passive play and advised Zverev to part ways with his father as his coach.

“When things go badly for me, everyone is always very, very clever.” Alexander Zverev

Zverev distracted himself with a short golf trip over the weekend, and for the start of the grass-court season, he traveled directly from Mallorca to Stuttgart on Monday. In the tennis hall, which had been converted into a press center, the top German player spoke in a calm voice. But he didn't hold back or show any insight. He clearly expressed his opinion.

Attack on TV expert

"It's interesting because the conversations I have with Boris personally are completely different. Maybe he wants to put on a different mask when he's in front of the camera and somehow appear different," Zverev said at Sky.

Was it true that he felt pressured by his father and brother Mischa to play a tournament every week? "It's interesting that suddenly everyone knows everything better than I do," said the world number three. He didn't know where such information came from.

Alexander Zverev is still waiting for his first Grand Slam title. © APA/afp / THIBAUD MORITZ

Zverev was particularly critical of former player Barbara Rittner, who was once among the top 30 in the world and was the German women's coach for many years. Firstly, he did not take her opinion seriously. Secondly, he said, she represented the wrong opinion. Eurosport-expert. He didn't know why she was expressing such a strong opinion about him. "She's never played at that level herself," Zverev complained.

Icon Becker as advisor to Zverev

Zverev has maintained contact with Becker for many years. Photos of the training court in Monte Carlo at the beginning of April rekindled rumors of a possible collaboration. Becker describes himself as a friend of the family but later ruled out the coaching role. However, the two have frequently exchanged views, not only in his former role as head of German men's tennis.

Although Zverev has hired several former pros, he's still sticking with his father as his main coach. His brother, Mischa Zverev, works as his manager. "And I don't think anyone new will come along in this constellation," criticized the six-time Grand Slam champion Becker after the loss to Djokovic: "My father and brother did an excellent job, but it wasn't good enough for the final step."

“I still see myself as a candidate to compete against the two guys up there,” Alexander Zverev

Paris champion Carlos Alcaraz and world number one Jannik Sinner seem to be pulling away. With their incredible French Open final, the duo gives the impression of being able to develop a dominance like Roger Federer, Rafael Nadal, and Novak Djokovic once did. Zverev still clings to the hope of becoming the first German men's Grand Slam champion since Becker in 1996. "I still see myself as a contender to compete against those two guys at the top," Zverev clarified.

Now the Australian Open finalist wants to start getting into Grand Slam form on grass courts in Stuttgart. His first appearance is expected on Thursday. He could meet Becker before then. "If he wants to talk to me, I'm always open," Zverev said respectfully. "He's an absolute legend. I'll always listen to what he has to say. But I don't always have to agree with it."