For years, it really felt like Alexander Zverev might go his entire career without winning a Grand Slam title.
Despite all his incredible quality, with all the tools needed to become a major champion, time and time again he fell short.
That was, until 2026 changed everything.
Whether it was down to the absences of Jannik Sinner and Carlos Alcaraz matters not for Alexander Zverev, who took full advantage of the draws in Roland Garros, Wimbledon and the US Open, winning two and reaching the final of the other.
It has been a landmark, standout year for the German, but as is often the case with great champions, a new target has been set. He was more than happy to reveal it in his latest press conference.
Alexander Zverev reveals his new goal after winning two Grand Slams in one year
Speaking in German to the Austrian press ahead of his return to action at the Erste Bank Open, the two-time major champion was open and upbeat.
Chatting with members of the media, he discussed a wide variety of topics, but his Grand Slam exploits this season unsurprisingly dominated proceedings.
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He began by revealing the relief that he has felt since that first success in Paris, noting: “It was always a huge goal for me. It was the one tournament I hadn’t managed to win. I had won at every other level, but that particular level—the Grand Slam title—did create a certain amount of pressure; it was incredibly important to me.
“Winning in Paris really lifted a huge weight off my shoulders, which then enabled me to be successful in New York as well.”
Then, asked whether his Grand Slam triumphs this season might have impacted perceptions around the locker room, Zverev argued against it, responding: “I’ve been in the world’s top ten of tennis since 2017.
“I’ve been competing in major tournaments for quite a while now; I had never won one, but I’ve been around for seven years.”
He finished by outlining his new goals, having finally ticked off his ultimate dream of winning a major.
Now, Zverev wants more: “I think you always have to keep setting new goals for yourself.
“For me, this year, the goal was to win this particular title [a Grand Slam]. After that, there are other objectives. I’m hoping to have the chance to win the other two as well. That’s not to say I wouldn’t want to win Paris or New York again, but this is something special for me.
“Especially because, for the first time this year, I felt like I could actually play on grass—I really got to know what tennis on grass is all about—and that has been a huge success for me.
“For me, this year has also been a huge success, because I felt like I finally had a chance in all four of the Grand Slams.”
Alexander Zverev closes in on the world number one spot
Zverev only needs to reach the quarter-finals in Vienna to become just the 30th man in history to reach the world number one spot.
It represents the culmination of a hugely impressive year for him, although some still seek to belittle it.
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Daniil Medvedev recently said whether he felt Zverev deserved to be world number one, amid claims that because of Alcaraz and Sinner’s injuries he had not fully earned the title.
Asked about the prospect of facing the Spaniard here in Vienna, he added: “I believe that, in the meantime, we obviously have to do our job and win our matches.
“Yes, of course, Jannik and Carlos represent the two biggest challenges we have in tennis; there’s no question about that. I’m also looking forward to continuing to compete against them over the next few years.”
