Alexander Zverev suggests what many people have got wrong about 'underrated' Novak Djokovic after losing to him

Alexander Zverev has once again fallen hurt in his quest for Grand Slam glory.

Zverev reached the French Open final a year ago and was determined to go one better and lift the title in 2025.

He was prevented from doing so by Carlos Alcaraz in 2024, and this season it is Novak Djokovic who ensured Zverev’s wait for a first major continues.

The 28-year-old took the opening set before the Serbian completed a comeback and won 4-6, 6-3, 6-2, 6-4.

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Alexander Zverev says whether Novak Djokovic is underrated after their French Open match

For the second time in their careers, Djokovic and Zverev played each other at the French Open.

The World number six won their first meeting in 2019 and he repeated that feat six years later, despite losing the first set.

Djokovic has struggled throughout most of the season but he has now reached the semi-finals in both Grand Slams played in 2025, while scoring big wins over Zverev and Alcaraz in the process.

Due to his form Djokovic was perhaps not one of the top contenders for the title in the eyes of some, but Zverev thinks the 24-time Grand Slam winner is under-appreciated as a result. “I think at the moment he’s a bit underrated to be honest,” Zverev told reporters post-match.

“I think a lot of people count him out already, but this year he has had wins over Alcaraz at the Australian Open and a win over me at the French Open. So forget the age, I think for any player those are pretty good results.

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“Of course, you would have to ask him how he feels physically and how he will recover and if he will be at 100% the next match, because I do think it was quite a physical match today for both of us. But he is still beating the best of the best, so I think everybody needs to respect that.”

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Alexander Zverev’s record against top 10 players at Grand Slams is not pretty

A coveted Grand Slam win continues to elude Zverev following his French Open exit.

As was the case in Australia, he lost to another top 10 player in Paris, and his record against players in this group is a disappointing one.

Zverev has played 23 top 10 players at Grand Slams in his career, and he has claimed just five victories.

Should he want to change his fortunes at Grand Slam level, Zverev will need to produce better results against the best players.

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