Alexander Zverev has expressed openness to the idea of working with tennis legend Boris Becker as part of his coaching team. However, he remains hesitant, acknowledging one crucial factor that needs to be addressed before such a collaboration can materialize.
In May 2023, Zverev made a significant shift in his coaching approach, parting ways with Sergi Bruguera after a year of working together. He returned to a more familiar environment, placing his father, former tennis player Alexander Zverev Sr., in charge of his coaching setup. Reflecting on the decision, Zverev shared, “For me, I want to go back on my path and I want to be in this familiar environment again.” This return to his roots has proven to be successful, as Zverev enjoyed a standout 2024 season, capturing the Paris Masters title, finishing as the runner-up to Carlos Alcaraz at Roland Garros, and climbing to No. 2 in the ATP Rankings.
Despite his success, Zverev is open to expanding his coaching team. Yet, he is clear about one thing: the addition must be the right fit. “The right person has to be there,” he told Tennis Magazin. “I won’t just take anyone just because I or others think it’s right. I tried working with many people, but only one really helped me a lot.” The name that frequently comes up in connection with Zverev’s potential future coaching staff is Boris Becker, due to their strong personal relationship.
Becker, who has been without a coaching role since parting ways with Holger Rune in February, could be an ideal addition. However, there’s an unresolved issue: Becker’s ability to travel internationally. Following his imprisonment in the UK for tax evasion, it remains unclear whether Becker can freely travel to major events like Wimbledon or the US Open. For Zverev, having his coach with him at these prestigious tournaments is non-negotiable.
“I love Boris and I also believe that he has an incredible knowledge of tennis,” Zverev admitted. “But I don’t know how he feels about travelling. That’s the only question mark for him. Once he has sorted and clarified that, we can talk about it.” He went on to say, “We are always in contact and often talk to each other. For Australia, it will stay as it is, and then I will see.”
Looking ahead, Zverev is set to kick off his 2025 season at the United Cup in Australia, where he played a pivotal role in Germany’s victory over Poland in the previous year’s final. After that, he will head to Melbourne for the Australian Open, where he reached the semi-finals in 2024 before narrowly losing in a five-set battle against Daniil Medvedev. As he heads into the new season, Zverev’s coaching decisions could play a key role in his pursuit of further success.