Alexander Zverev had struggled to find form on the ATP Tour for several months before transitioning to clay courts.
Beginning the year strongly, Zverev reached his maiden Australian Open final, falling to defeat against Jannik Sinner, 3-6, 6-7, 3-6.
Sinner was then banned from tennis, gifting the German a golden opportunity to become world number one for the first time.
Photo by Kelly Defina/Getty Images
Unable to take advantage, Zverev failed to win any of his next six tournaments, despite entering them all as the number one seed.
It was at his seventh tournament that the ATP’s number two-ranked player returned to winning ways, as he now picks out the match that helped him turn his fortunes around.
Alexander Zverev says his win over Tallon Griekspoor in Munich was a ‘turnaround’ point for his 2025 season
Following his second-round win at the Madrid Open, Zverev picked out the moment where he thinks his 2025 season turned around.
Photo by Alberto Gardin/Eurasia Sport Images/Getty Images
“I was struggling the weeks before that, I really needed the win in Munich,” he said.
“I really needed the match against [Tallon] Griekspoor there, that was actually a bit of a turnaround point for me.
“Yeah, winning tournaments always gives you confidence, I needed that.”
Zverev had lost to Tallon Griekspoor at Indian Wells earlier in the year, but exacted his revenge on the Dutch star in Munich, as he booked his place in the semi-finals.
- 2025 Indian Wells 2R – Tallon Griekspoor beat Alexander Zverev, 4-6, 7-6, 7-6
- 2025 Bavarian Tennis Championships – Alexander Zverev beat Tallon Griekspoor, 6-7, 7-6, 6-4
The 28-year-old went on to beat Fabian Marozsan and Ben Shelton, to lift the title in Munich for a third time.
Alexander Zverev’s route to the title in Munich
Photo by Alexander Hassenstein/Getty Images for BMWAlexander Zverev ‘hopes’ to maintain impressive Madrid Open record on his ‘favorite’ court
Zverev beat home-favorite Roberto Bautista Agut in his opening match at the 2025 Madrid Open, 6-2, 6-2.
The world number two assessed his performance during his post-match interview.
“Good match, all in all, I knew I had to focus against Roberto [Bautista Agut], he’s an incredible player, [former] top ten in the world,” said Zverev.
“I knew it was going to be a tough challenge, and I’m very happy with today.”
Zverev went on to say just how much he enjoys playing in the Spanish capital.
“I would say this is my favorite Centre Court in the entire world,” he said.
Photo by Alberto Gardin/Eurasia Sport Images/Getty Images
“I only lost twice in my entire life here, so I hope that stays that way throughout the next ten days, and I can continue playing good tennis, and as long as I do that, I’m happy.
“I’m looking forward to the next ten days here.”
Zverev has lost just five total matches at the Madrid Open throughout his career, his most successful Masters 1000 tournament.
Alexander Zverev’s record at Masters 1000 tournamentsAlexander Zverev’s potential route to the 2025 Madrid Open title
The German star will hope to extend his impressive record at this year’s tournament, but who stands between him and a third Madrid Open title?
- 3R – Alejandro Davidovich Fokina
- 4R – Francisco Cerundolo
- QF – Andrey Rublev
- SF – Taylor Fritz
- F – Novak Djokovic
Zverev could face a tough test against the last remaining Spaniard in the competition should he face off against Alejandro Davidovich Fokina in the third round.
Argentina’s Francisco Cerundolo and defending Madrid Open champion Andrey Rublev could also prove difficult for the 28-year-old if he were to make a deep run at the tournament.
Photo by Burak Akbulut/Anadolu via Getty Images
A 14th career meeting with Serbia’s Novak Djokovic could be waiting for him in the final, although he won’t want to get too far ahead of himself.
Zverev will first focus on taking on either Davidovich Fokina or Nuno Borges in the third round of the Madrid Open on Sunday, April 27.