As the Tennis season unfolds in 2024, Alexander Zverev is back in the limelight, showcasing his talent on the grand stage once more. Aiming for glory at the top of the sport, he finds himself thriving with a remarkable record of victories and has returned to his career-high ranking of World No. 2.
These achievements seemed a mere dream just two short years ago. “I’m content with my performance and the overall direction of my tennis career,” Zverev stated during a candid chat with CNN Sport at the 2024 Nitto ATP Finals in Turin, Italy. “Yet, I’ve got so much more I want to accomplish.”
Flashback to June 2022: Zverev’s career trajectory was soaring. Having concluded the previous year with a sensational run, culminating in his second ATP Finals title in Turin, he was on the verge of claiming the coveted No. 1 spot in the world rankings. The elusive grand slam singles title seemed a heartbeat away, especially with the French Open in his sights.
However, in a dramatic twist at Roland Garros, everything changed. During a gripping semifinal duel against Rafael Nadal, Zverev suffered a severe ankle injury, tearing ligaments and forcing his retirement from the match. It shattered not just that tournament but the following events of his season.
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“I felt incredibly close to winning my first grand slam and achieving the top rank in the world. It was heartbreaking, especially since there were so many milestones I was eager to reach,” Zverev reflected. “After that incident, doubts crept in—would I return to my former level? Would I compete with the best again?”
In a bid to turn adversity into a positive force, Zverev launched the Alexander Zverev Foundation in 2022, dedicated to kids battling type 1 diabetes and preventing type 2 diabetes. Remarkably, he revealed to CNN that he has been living with type 1 diabetes since he was just four years old. The athlete now shares that living with this condition is something he scarcely remembers not having—a journey he’s embraced.
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“When I was a teen, I dreamt of being a professional tennis player. Many specialists insisted it was impractical given my diabetes. That was challenging back then but now it’s simply part of who I am. Though it’s not an illness anyone wishes to have, it’s about the path life has chosen for me,” Zverev explained. “I hope to inspire other kids to see me as a role model and realize that anything is possible.”
His road to recovery from ankle surgery was patient and cautious. After a year marked by gradual progress in 2023, 2024 has seen Zverev regain his competitive edge at prestigious tournaments. He kicked off the season by claiming a significant victory over Carlos Alcaraz at the Australian Open quarterfinals, although Alcaraz later bested him in the unforgettable French Open final.
Additionally, Zverev made history by being Nadal’s final opponent at Roland Garros, knocking the legend out in the first round. Even though he lost a tough quarterfinal at the US Open to Taylor Fritz, clinching the Paris Masters 1000 title propelled Zverev to Turin with positive momentum.
Off the court, Zverev faced challenges as well. He settled an assault case involving his former partner, with no admission of guilt. The Berlin Tiergarten District Court asserted that Zverev was accused of inflicting harm during an altercation in 2020. While he received significant fines, Zverev maintained his innocence and appealed the allegations.
Now, Zverev has his sights set on a third Nitto ATP Finals title, hopeful it will pave the way for a breakout 2025 season. Despite years competing at the highest level and tallying numerous Masters 1000 titles, he has only reached two grand slam finals to date, falling short each time.
As he eyes the future, the pressing question remains: will Zverev finally break through and secure his first grand slam title in 2025? “I sure hope so. The unpredictability of tennis means anything can happen. If it’s anything like 2022, surprises are bound to occur. But I truly feel prepared to take that next step in my career,” Zverev concluded.
