French Open 2023: Exclusive: Boris Becker concerned about Alexander Zverev and highlights 'problem'

Eurosport's Boris Becker has shared his concerns for his compatriot Alexander Zverev, who he believes is «being a bit overtaken by the younger players» such as Carlos Alcaraz. The tennis legend has cited the likes of Jannik Sinner, Holger Rune, Taylor Fritz, Sebastian Korda and Alcaraz as being players who have a lot more going for them at present than his fellow German, who is still recovering his form and fitness after he suffered a nasty ankle injury at Roland-Garros last year. Ad Zverev, who at the time was challenging Rafael Nadal in a very real way in the semi-finals of the French Open, has had a torrid time trying to get back to the player he was after his injury.

For Becker, it is a genuine concern that he is slipping behind much younger players coming through. ATP MadridAlcaraz 'on a different level' – Zverev after defeat to Spaniard in Madrid03/05/2023 AT 10:47 «I think he's 100% healthy and has confidence in his ankle — and that physically he could play through every match if he could play more,» Becker told Eurosport Germany's Das Gelbe vom Ball podcast. «I think that's the bigger problem.

Tennis changes every 18 months. That means you always have to improve accordingly. You get the impression that he hasn't improved and the opponents know exactly how they have to play against Sascha in 2023.

That is a problem! »You want to win free points and create surprise moments. I watched the match against Alcaraz: it was two worlds. A year ago, he beat Alcaraz in Paris and was on his way to beating the unbeatable Nadal, and possibly Ruud in the final.

Sascha would have become the new No. 1. «That's in the past, and 12 months later, the stark reality is brutal.