Alexander Zverev gives frosty five-word response to Roger Federer as family weigh in

Alexander Zverev has hit back at Roger Federer after the tennis great questioned his approach to Grand Slam games – despite recently returning to ATP No. 2

Alexander Zverev has responded to Roger Federer with a cold five-word response after criticism over his approach to Grand Slam games. The German has recently returned to No.2 in the ATP rankings, thanks to 22 ATP singles wins – but is yet to achieve victory in any of the four major tournaments.

While the 27-year-old made it to the finals of the 2020 US Open and the French Open this year, he ultimately ceded to Dominic Thiem and Carlos Alcaraz respectively. Elsewhere this year, Zverev was ousted in the semi-finals of the Australian open by Daniil Medvedev, and eliminated by Taylor Fritz in the round of 16 at Wimbledon as well as in the quarter-finals of the US Open.

And speaking earlier this week, 20-time major champion Federer opinionated that Zverev plays too “passively” at Grand Slam tournaments. He explained: “To win a Grand Slam, you have to play far more offensively – the title doesn’t just come to you. When I watch him [Zverev] play, I see someone who plays far too passively, far too defensively in the decisive moments.

Against the best players in the world, you have to take the initiative and play offensively. He didn’t do that against Fritz. There’s not much missing, but to win a Grand Slam you have to trust your shots and play more offensively.

“He has to believe in this path. Every cell in your body has to feel that this is the only right way. The title doesn’t just come to you, especially not the first one.” Now, Zverev has fired back at Federer’s criticism, giving a blunt five-word response: “That’s nothing I don’t know.”

Reflecting on his own performances, he added: “It’s absolutely clear to me that I didn’t play the way I want to play. That was a terrible game from me. That’s why it’s completely okay what Roger said.

Zverev’s brother, Mischa, has also weighed in on Federer’s comments – insisting that the tennis great was just being honest about how he felt. He told EuroSport: “It’s not criticism. Roger was asked something, he answered openly and honestly. He understands the game, that’s quite clear.

“He knows tennis. Sascha also understands the game, he also knows tennis. The way to the top is a process. Sascha is currently No. 2 in the world. There are a lot of people – not Roger, but people in general – who are constantly saying or writing something. But you must not forget that he is world No. 2, and he can become No. 1 just as easily.

“He is doing what he is doing quite well. Of course, Roger is right, just like many others, that there are situations in which you can play or act differently. But when you look back, every player knows something about themselves or someone else that they could have done better – regardless of whether they win or lose.”

Zverev is off to a bad start at the Laver Cup in Berlin. He and teammate Alcaraz were bested in the opening round of the men’s doubles 7-6(7-5), 6-4 by Fritz and Ben Shelton on Friday. He will hope for more success when he meets Fritz once more in the men’s singles at 6pm on Saturday (September 21).