Tennis

Federer: "Zverev plays too passively in crucial moments"

Former Swiss tennis player and 20-time Grand Slam champion Roger Federer has criticized German world number two Alexander Zverev for his defensive style of play.

"I'm not his coach, so I can speak openly. When I watch Sascha's matches, I see someone who plays too passively, too defensively in crucial moments. He is great at defense, but I think to win, he needs to explore other ways. If he manages to do this, he can achieve great results.

In matches against the best players in the world, you need to take the initiative and attack. He didn't do that in his match against Fritz at the US Open.

He doesn't lack much [to win Grand Slam titles]. But to win a Grand Slam, you need to believe in your shots and play more aggressively. He has to believe in this approach. Every cell in your body must feel that this is the only right way. Titles aren't just given away, especially the first one in your career," Eurosport quotes Federer as saying.

At the US Open 2024, Alexander Zverev reached the quarter-finals, where he lost to American Taylor Fritz with scores of 6-7 (2-7), 6-3, 4-6, 6-7 (3-7).