'I Don’t Know If I’ll Ever Be Able To Lift The Trophy': Zverev's Delivers Crushing Speech After Losing Aus Open Final
He is the seventh man in the Open era, which dates to 1968, to start a career with an 0-3 record in title matches at one of the sport’s four most important events.
Alexander Zverev described himself as “quite down" and “quite emotional" after once again coming within one win of earning his first Grand Slam title.
And unlike his first two defeats in major finals — both of which he led, and both of which went five sets — Zverev did not come close to reaching the finish line Sunday in the Australian Open final, which ended with defending champion Jannik Sinner holding the trophy after his 6-3, 7-6 (4), 6-3 victory.
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“I’m doing everything I can. I’m working as hard as I ever did. I think I’m doing all the right things off-court. I think I’m practicing the right things. But I lost in straight sets today. I mean, those are facts. That is a fact. I lost to Jannik in straight sets today," said Zverev, a 27-year-old from Germany who is ranked No. 2 but did not seem anywhere near No. 1 Sinner on this occasion.
“I don’t know if I’ll ever be able to lift the trophy. But I’ll keep coming back. I’ll keep trying," Zverev said, “to lift one of those trophies."
Zverev after losing Australian Open final to Jannik Sinner:“I’m just not good enough. It’s as simple as that." 💔
“I don’t know if I’ll ever be able to lift the trophy. But I’ll keep coming back. I’ll keep trying."
— The Tennis Letter (@TheTennisLetter) January 26, 2025
“I mean, I don’t want to end my career as the best player of all time to never win a Grand Slam, that’s for sure."
He is the seventh man in the Open era, which dates to 1968, to start a career with an 0-3 record in title matches at one of the sport’s four most important events.
Five of the other six went on to win at least one major championship. The only member of the group who hasn’t is Casper Ruud, who is also the only one still active.
Sinner offered support to Zverev during the trophy ceremony Sunday. That came in the form of an arm around the shoulder — and with his words.
“Keep believing in yourself," Sinner told Zverev. “Keep working hard, because we all believe that you can lift one of these very, very soon."
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