For Alexander Zverev, the 2024 tennis season is over. After a vacation in the Maldives, hard work is on the agenda to achieve his goals for 2025.
After a mixed season, Alexander Zverev wants to attack his first Grand Slam title again next year. “I don’t think it’s a secret that that will be my main goal for the next six or seven years,” said the French Open finalist and world number two after his elimination from the ATP Finals in Turin.
In the semi-finals of the year-end tournament of the best tennis professionals of the season, Zverev had to admit defeat against Taylor Fritz with 3:6, 6:3, 6:7 (3:7). It was his fourth defeat in a row against the American US Open finalist. He triumphed at the ATP Finals in 2018 and 2021. In the final of this year’s edition, local Italian hero Jannik Sinner will now face Fritz on Sunday (6 p.m./Sky).
“I’m never short on motivation”
“I’ll do everything I can to make sure my level is even higher next year than it was this year,” said Zverev. He doesn’t need motivation from this defeat, said the 2018 and 2021 ATP Finals winner. “I’m never lacking in motivation,” he explained. “I’m going on vacation now and after that I’ll work hard. I don’t think anyone needs to worry about that.”
On Monday, Zverev is still scheduled to attend a charity event in the Allgäu region. On Tuesday, the 27-year-old from Hamburg will fly to the Maldives. Zverev will not play in the Davis Cup final in Malaga next week in order to recover from his health problems during the short season break.
Season starts on December 29
2024 ends for the German number one with two titles at the Masters 1000 tournaments in Rome and Paris-Bercy. Zverev also ends the year as the world number two for the first time, reaching a new high in the ranking. He has confirmed this year that he can compete for the big titles again after his serious foot injury in 2022, Zverev reiterated. But it is defeats that remain in his mind above all.
The new season starts for him at the United Cup. The team competition begins again on December 27, with Germany, as the title defender, playing its first game on December 29 against Brazil. The first sporting highlight is the Australian Open in Melbourne from January 12 to 26.
