Alexander Zverev was “not in the right mindset,” according to Boris Becker, during his Australian Open final against Jannik Sinner.
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ZVEREV ‘NOT IN THE RIGHT MINDSET’ IN AO FINAL AGAINST SINNER, SAYS BECKER
Zverev was “not” in the right mindset,” Becker said, in the recent AO final against Sinner in Melbourne.
Furthermore, the the retired German legend noticed that the world No.2’s shoulder was “slightly slumped forward and his head hanging low” when he stepped on the court against Sinner.
Moreover, Becker was convinced his younger German compatriot was “tense” and “nervous” even if the final had yet to start.
“When he (Zverev) walked onto the court (at the start of the final), with his shoulder slightly slumped forward and his head hanging low, I thought, ‘oh God, oh God, oh God,'” Becker said in his Becker Petkovic podcast.
“He’s tense, he’s nervous. He’s not in the right mindset. This is going to be a tough one,” he added.
SINNER ‘UNBEATABLE’ ON HARD COURTS BUT BECKER SAYS ‘SASCHA’ NEEDS RIGHT ‘MENTALITY’
Moreover, Becker is convinced Sinner was “unbeatable” in hard courts after the Italian defeated Zverev in the final, 6-3, 7-6(4), 6-3.
Furthermore, the German world No.2 – also known as “Sascha” – should still display the right “mentality” every time he steps on the court, especially in a major final.
“On hard courts, he (Sinner) is almost unbeatable, not just for Zverev, but for anyone,” Becker admitted.
“(But) in a final like this (Australian Open) of course it’s about strategy, forehands, and ball control. But above all it’s about mindset and your mentality,” he added.
It was Zverev’s third loss in as many appearances in a major final, counting his losses at the 2020 US Open and the 2024 French Open.
MCENROE DOUBTS IF ZVEREV STILL HAS ‘SELF-BELIEF’ DURING MELBOURNE FINAL
Furthermore, retired American legend John McEnroe shared Becker’s observations about Zverev.
Moreover, the once-temperamental former US tennis star noted that the German world No.2 looked “flat as a pancake” and had “no energy” against Sinner at the time.
“He (Zverev) had no energy, he was flat as a pancake. He looked like the guy who got sick a couple of days ago,” McEnroe told EuroSport.
“I don’t know what happened. I’m starting to wonder if there is the self-belief,” he added.
Zverev will get his next shot to face Sinner at a major at the French Open in May.
