Alexander Zverev’s 2025 season has not gone as expected, as he faces ongoing challenges at the Masters 1000 tournaments.
The German player kicked off his clay-court season with a difficult three-set loss to Matteo Berrettini in the first round of the Monte-Carlo Masters, with scores of 6-2, 3-6, 5-7.
However, Zverev rebounded impressively at his home tournament by clinching his first title of the season in Munich, defeating American Ben Shelton in the final.
Unfortunately, he could not maintain this winning streak, suffering a defeat against Francisco Cerundolo in the fourth round at Madrid.
Rennae Stubbs Claims Zverev ‘Doesn’t Deserve’ His Ranking
On the Rennae Stubbs Tennis Podcast, former doubles world number one Rennae Stubbs expressed her strong views regarding Zverev’s current standing.
“Zverev is seeded number two in Rome, but I question whether he deserves this ranking, especially as he hasn’t performed well in crucial matches,” Stubbs commented. She highlighted her disappointment in his early exit from the Madrid Open, emphasizing that his game is well-suited for that tournament.
Zverev’s 2025 Masters 1000 Performance
While Zverev has yet to secure a Grand Slam title, he is renowned for his achievements at the Masters 1000 level, with seven titles to his name, second only to Novak Djokovic among active players.
However, in 2025, Zverev has struggled significantly, failing to advance to the quarterfinals in the first four Masters events:
- 2025 Indian Wells – Lost in 2R to Tallon Griekspoor
- 2025 Miami Open – Lost in 4R to Arthur Fils
- 2025 Monte-Carlo Masters – Lost in 2R to Matteo Berrettini
- 2025 Madrid Open – Lost in 4R to Francisco Cerundolo
This record of 4-4 as the world number two raises concerns, as correctly pointed out by Stubbs. As he heads into the Italian Open, he hopes to improve his performance with tough matches on the horizon.
Zverev’s Potential Path in Rome
Zverev is set to face Camilo Ugo Carabelli in the second round, followed by a potential match against Denis Shapovalov in the third round. If he can navigate past Arthur Fils in the fourth round, he could meet Lorenzo Musetti in the quarterfinals, followed by Carlos Alcaraz and Jannik Sinner in the semifinals and final, respectively.
Despite holding a strong head-to-head record against Alcaraz and Sinner, Zverev will likely enter these matches as the underdog, particularly given their current form.
The upcoming Italian Open poses a critical runway for Zverev to cement his status and demonstrate that he truly deserves his ranking.
