16 January 2024 , 17:38
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Alexander Zverev is one of the best players in the world - but his lack of major success stings the German, who was once ripped into by tennis icon John McEnroe following a poor performance at the Australian Open.
Back in 2019, Zverev had navigated his way to the fourth round of the Australian Open - the first Grand Slam of the year. However, he was far from his best against Milos Raonic.
The Canadian dismantled Zverev, securing a dominant 6-1 6-1 7-5 victory on Rod Laver Arena. Zverev was furious with his own performance, while McEnroe wasted no time in tearing into the Hamburg-born star.
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“That’s crazy,” McEnroe said on commentary for Australia ’s Channel 9. “That’s like twilight zone stuff. Right now he is not exuding positive energy. He’s moping a little bit. And he’s down a set, down a break.
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“Things are not going well. He is also giving positive feedback to a player who doesn’t need any more than the scoreboard is giving him.”
McEnroe, who is on commentary for both Channel 9 and ESPN at the 2024 edition of the tournament, continued to pile onto Zverev’s body language and court antics. The American suggested champions wouldn’t behave in such a way, adding: “It’s a different energy than a lot of other top players would give off. Certainly Rafa wouldn’t be doing anything other than coming out of his skin trying to get back into it.
John McEnroe is known to be critical as he watches on in the commentary box (Getty Images)“Just generally speaking the body language, he’s got the racquet sort of drooping towards the ground.He’s not sticking his chest out at all. He gives himself a sarcastic thumbs up there. A sports psychologist would do a lot with this little clip of Zverev as far as things not to do in this environment.
“He would have lost in the first round of qualifying. This is incredible how bad this is.”
Zverev is into the second round of the 2024 Australian Open after he defeated compatriot Dominik Koepfer in four sets, securing a 4-6 6-3 7-6 (3) 6-3 victory. He will face unseeded Slovenian Lukas Klein in the next round on Thursday 18 January.