For Alexander Zverev, the 2025 tennis season has been anything but smooth. The world No. 3 described the year as “a nightmare” filled with constant injury struggles that have taken a toll on both his performance and his ability to improve. The German star has spent much of the year dealing with physical setbacks that, by his own admission, have made consistency nearly impossible.
On Wednesday in Turin, Zverev’s frustrations deepened after a straight-sets loss to world No. 1 Jannik Sinner in the group stage of the ATP Finals. The 6-4, 6-3 defeat left Zverev with a 1-1 record in the tournament’s round-robin phase — and extended a painful losing streak against the Italian. It was the third consecutive time in just a few weeks that Sinner had beaten him, having already eliminated the German in Vienna and again in Paris.
During the post-match press conference, Zverev faced a question that seemed to touch a nerve. A reporter referenced comments made by Ivan Ljubicic — the former coach of Roger Federer — who had suggested that if Sinner keeps improving week after week, perhaps other players should question what they’re failing to do. The implication was clear: why isn’t Zverev keeping pace?
Zverev’s response was candid and slightly defensive. “Number one is to stay healthy and injury-free,” he said. “This year was a nightmare for me injury-wise. All the time I had something. It was difficult for me to improve when I always had to try to get healthy. That’s the number one thing.”
He went on to address the perception that his loss was straightforward just because of the scoreline. “Look, of course I think it’s quite easy for you guys to ask these questions because the score says 6-4, 6-3,” he continued. “If you look deeper into the match, I really believe that it could have been more than 6-4, 6-3. So… don’t always judge it by the score.”
His frustration was understandable. Throughout the year, Zverev has dealt with a string of injuries — from nagging shoulder and back issues to a persistent ankle problem that flared up again recently at the Paris Masters. Despite the physical challenges, he managed to recover in time to compete in Turin, a testament to both his determination and his desire to end the season on a strong note.
Still, the cumulative effect of these injuries has clearly hindered his rhythm. In tennis, where confidence and momentum are everything, even a small physical limitation can make the difference between victory and defeat at the elite level. For Zverev, it seems the constant process of recovery has disrupted his ability to train and adapt as effectively as players like Sinner, who is currently enjoying the best form of his career.
The loss to Sinner in Turin also carried symbolic weight. Once considered one of the most promising members of the “next generation” of stars, Zverev now finds himself facing questions about whether others — including Sinner and Carlos Alcaraz — have surpassed him in development and resilience. Though his ranking remains strong, Zverev’s comments suggest he feels that his physical struggles have kept him from truly showing his potential this season.
Despite the setbacks, Zverev’s focus remains on finishing the year as best as he can. His next match at the ATP Finals will be a high-stakes showdown against Canada’s Felix Auger-Aliassime, with a semifinal spot on the line. For Zverev, it represents not only a chance to extend his run in Turin but also an opportunity to regain confidence after a season defined by physical and mental battles.
Whether or not he advances, 2025 will likely be remembered as a year of endurance rather than triumph for the German. His honesty about the toll injuries have taken offers a rare glimpse into the reality of life on the ATP Tour — where even top-ranked players can find themselves fighting just to stay healthy enough to compete.
“I just want to be able to play without pain,” Zverev has said in various interviews throughout the year. As this grueling season nears its conclusion, that simple goal seems to mean more to him than any trophy.
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