World No. 2 Alexander Zverev shares powerful message ahead of his Monte-Carlo Masters debut

Alexander Zverev has not been able to take advantage of Jannik Sinner‘s doping suspension to close the gap between him and World No. 1 in the ATP rankings. The German tennis star has had disappointing results in his recent tournaments, and now, as he prepares for his Monte-Carlo Masters 1000 debut, he sent a clear message about his aspirations.

“I definitely need to win some matches and play good tennis,” said Zverev during a press conference on Saturday, as shared by the official ATP Tour website. “Winning matches is the main part in order to build confidence and get into the right mindset.”

The 27-year-old German star reflected on his recent performance at the Miami Open, where he was unexpectedly eliminated in the round of 16 by Arthur Fils. “In Miami, I felt I was playing better than I had been before, and then I woke up with a bad neck just that day — which was a bit unlucky for me — so I was a bit restricted.”

Zverev then speculated on what might have happened had he stayed in the tournament. “In the quarter-finals, I would have played (Jakub) Mensik. He obviously won the tournament, but maybe if I’d gotten my confidence back, I would have been the favorite in all of those matches,” he said. “It can happen quickly, and I hope it will happen within the next few weeks.”

Alexander Zverev, of Germany, during the 2025 Australian Open

Zverev explains his disappointing performances

The 2025 season had started strong for Alexander Zverev. He reached the final of the Australian Open, defeating Novak Djokovic in the semifinals, but lost in the decisive game to Jannik Sinner. “I did not take a rest after Australia, and mentally, Australia affected me a lot,” he admitted.

see also

World No.1 Jannik Sinner sets the record straight about the three-month doping ban

“I was very upset and very tired, and I came back here and went straight to South America, so I didn’t really have time to process what happened, losing in a Grand Slam final,” Alexander explained. “I kept going, which was not the smartest thing to do.”

In Buenos Aires, Zverev lost in the quarter-finals to Francisco Cerundolo, while at the Rio Open, he was eliminated at the same stage by Francisco Comesaña. In Mexico, things didn’t improve as he was knocked out in the round of 16 by Learner Tien, and in Indian Wells, his previous tournament before Miami, he suffered an opening-round defeat to Tallon Griekspoor.

Zverev feels comfortable in Monte-Carlo

Alexander Zverev is based in Monte-Carlo, and he believes this familiarity will work to his advantage. “You’re still a bit more relaxed, a bit more refreshed,” he said. “Sleeping in your own bed, having home-cooked meals is quite nice. My whole family is here. Familiarity helps and is something very, very nice.”

The World No. 2 will make his debut at the Masters 1000 on Tuesday, April 8, though his opponent in the round of 32 is not yet determined: it could be Matteo Berrettini or a qualifier. “For me right now, it’s about winning matches and getting back to the winning pace,” Zverev concluded.