Boris Becker has sent a strongly worded message to Alexander Zverev, urging the World No. 3 to make some changes to his coaching team. Becker expressed his belief that Zverev would benefit from parting ways with his father as coach.
Since falling short against Jannik Sinner in this year’s Australian Open final, Zverev has had a difficult season with several shockingly early exits. Although the German was hoping to turn his fortunes around and finally clinch his maiden Grand Slam title at the French Open, he suffered a 4-6, 6-3, 6-2, 6-4 loss to Novak Djokovic in the quarterfinals. The World No. 3’s loss prompted Boris Becker to share his candid take on Zverev’s coaching team.
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Speaking on Matchball Becker, the former World No. 1 pointed out that while Alexander Zverev had worked with celebrated coaches like Ivan Lendl and Juan Carlos Ferrero, they were never given free rein due to the presence of the German's father and brother Mischa in the team. Becker suggested that no new coach would want to join Zverev's team as long as his father was the primary coach.
"He had [Ivan] Lendl, [Juan Carlos] Ferrero, [David] Ferrer and [Sergi] Bruguera. It doesn't get much better than that. But they were all always embedded with his father and his brother. And I don't think anyone new will come along in this constellation," Becker said.
Boris Becker also cited Rafael Nadal parting ways with his uncle Toni and Jannik Sinner's impending split with Darren Cahill as examples, emphasizing that a change in environment was necessary.
"If you take a look at Nadal's career. Toni Nadal was there for a long time, then Carlos Moya or Francisco Roig came along at some point. How is Sinner doing? There have now been three successful years with Darren Cahill. Now there's a new one coming," he said.
"At some point you need new noises and a new environment. It's the same in football, as a football coach you don't normally stay with a club for 10 years," he added.
Interestingly, Boris Becker was rumored to join Alexander Zverev's team as a coach after they were spotted training together in Monte Carlo during the clay season. However, neither of them confirmed the reports, and it seems a partnership failed to materialize.
"It wasn't good enough for the final step" - Boris Becker gives his verdict on Alexander Zverev's dad and brother's coaching efforts
In the same segment, Boris Becker further asserted that it was entirely in Alexander Zverev's hands to decide what he wanted his coaching team to look like moving forward.
Although the former World No. 1 credited Zverev's father and brother for doing a great job, he said their coaching "wasn't good enough" to help the 28-year-old win his first Major.
"He is the one who decides. He is the chairman of the board, the CEO. He decides what Team Zverev will look like in the future. His father and brother did an excellent job, but it wasn't good enough for the final step," Becker said.
Following his disappointing exit from the French Open, Alexander Zverev will turn his attention to the grass season. The German will be in action at the Terra Wortmann Open next. The ATP 500 event in Halle will kick off on June 16.
