Alexander Zverev. Began playing tennis at age 5. Turned pro in 2013. Currently ranked World Number 2. Irony? 22 Career titles but Zero Grand slams. Why hasn’t that moment arrived that people have been demanding for him long? The tennis legend and one of ‘Big 3’, Roger Federer, who shares a good relationship with the German, appeared for an interview and confidently expressed his thoughts on Zverev’s game and career. “I’m not his coach, so I can speak freely about his situation.”

“When I watch Sascha play, what I see is someone who plays too passively, often very defensively, especially in decisive moments,” Federer, who played aggressive, said of Alex’s game at US Open and in general. Soon after Federer’s statements went viral, Alex’s brother Mischa Zverev came to his rescue.

In an exclusive interview with Eurosport, he suggested that Federer did not mean it as a criticism and he spoke of what he thought was right at that moment. “That’s not a criticism. Roger was asked something, and he answered openly and honestly. He understands the game, that’s quite clear. He knows tennis. Sascha also understands the game and knows tennis. The way to the top is a process. Sascha is currently number two in the world,” said Mischa.

“Of course, Roger is right, as are many others, that there are situations in which you can play or act differently. But when you look back, every player knows something about themselves or someone else that they could have done better – regardless of whether they win or lose,” he further continued.

It is worth noting that not just Federer, tennis legends Tim Henman and Justine Henin also offered their critiques. Henman suggested specific changes Zverev should implement, while Henin branded Zvevrev “a disappointment”. However, Mischa warned people of Alex’s potential in climbing the Ranking ladder in no time. “You must not forget: He is number two, and he can just as easily become number one. He does what he does very well.”

But what does he have to do to win a slam? Later on in the interview, the 20 Grand slam winner who himself approached tennis forward-moving, said Zverev “needs to look for something more, take a step forward. If he can implement this idea, I am convinced that he can achieve great things.”

Soon after Mischa’s defense, Zverev took his moment to make his thoughts clear amidst the ongoing saga.

Alexander Zverev makes his thoughts clear on Roger Federer’s “criticism”

Interestingly, Zverev is one of those stars who holds a positive head-to-head advantage against the Swiss legend (4-3). While acknowledging that he played terribly at the US Open, he gave a cold five-word response. “That’s nothing I don’t know. 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,“ said Alexander Zverev.

Not only this, following his defeat at the hands of Fritz at the US Open, he, during the post-match conference, suggested that he was his worst critic and that the American number 1 player deserved every chance of winning the match. Zverev further added that he lost his confidence and did not know what to do in the match, which cost him big time.

Already 27 years old and with the likes of Carlos Alcaraz and Jannik Sinner dominating the tennis world, it will be exciting to see if he can finally break the deadlock and bag his first grand slam title. What are your views on this? Do let us know in the comments below!