Zverev launches a harsh jab at Boris Becker after his recent success

Alexander Zverev currently possesses a weapon that is hard to resist: the ability to say 'I told you so' to all those who harshly criticized his future as a winner in the tennis world. The German has come to terms with the criticism, sometimes fierce from his own country, waiting for his opportunity to 'shut the mouths' of those who predicted he would never win a Grand Slam.

Navigating those margins always offers the chance to come off as an arrogant person. Classless. It would be strange for Sascha, who has shown great adaptability on certain issues lately, to start throwing jabs left and right, recalling everyone who even wished for his downfall. However, it seems that there is one person whose opinions lingered in his mind for some time, likely due to the status and hierarchy of his name in the tennis world... as well as the closeness that has always existed between them.

Zverev's harsh jab at Becker before the Vienna tournament

We are, of course, speaking of Boris Becker, who has typically been very critical of the German's performance and playing style. Over the past two seasons, there have been multiple occasions where the former Wimbledon champion has disagreed with various aspects regarding his compatriot: he questioned his father's continuity as head coach, suggesting that Sascha needed to open himself up to new voices; he pointed out at various times that "he hadn't evolved much" as a player, offering his help to raise his level... and even stated that "he shouldn't have opened up mentally" as he did after Wimbledon 2025, a tournament in which, after being eliminated, Zverev admitted to feeling completely burned out with tennis.

The tides have changed: in recent months we have seen a Becker more protective of his compatriot (with whom he has even shared a locker room in previous Davis Cup matches), even harshly criticizing those who labeled Sascha's success in 2026 as "undeserved." Despite these recent opinions, it seems that the next world number one has not forgotten, and it is impossible not to think of Becker after hearing Zverev's words before his debut in the ATP Vienna 2026.

"There is only one person who has persistently criticized me lately. Honestly, I’m not too interested in his opinion. Every time he has said something, the opposite has happened, so his words in recent years have not interested me," the German stated emphatically when asked about the criticisms from the press, analysts, or the public. Harsh words towards someone with whom he once had a very good relationship, now deteriorated by the passage of time and Boris's words, which have at times included critiques of his family members, like his father. We will see if Becker, always active on social media, feels addressed by these statements and responds to the current great reference of German tennis.

This is an automatic translation. You can read the original news, Zverev lanza un durísimo dardo a Boris Becker tras su reciente éxito