The 27-year-old ended the year as one of the biggest threats to Jannik Sinner and Carlos Alcaraz who split the Grand Slams between them this season.

Zverev’s progress has been impressive given he experienced a horrific moment in his career that put his chances of fighting for top honours again in jeopardy.

Alexander Zverev names the most difficult moment of his career so far

Alexander Zverev has been a top 10 player for the majority of his career and has won some of the biggest titles on the ATP Tour.

He has two Masters 1000 titles to his name, in addition to the Olympic gold medal which he won at the delayed Tokyo Games in 2021. But he is still searching for his first Grand Slam title, which he came close to winning at the 2022 French Open.

Zverev took on Rafael Nadal in the semi-finals, and they were involved in a gruelling yet pulsating battle, until disaster struck and Zverev injured his ankle, ending his season and chances of becoming World number one. 

“In my opinion , 2022 obviously at the French Open was the toughest moment of my career,” he told HEAD Tennis’ YouTube channel.

“I was one match away from being world number one and playing probably the best tennis of my life against the greatest clay court player to ever live in Rafael Nadal.

“It was a tough moment for me because you know even if I lose the match I mean it’s Nadal, anything can happen. You can lose at the French Open to him, everybody has lost him before.

“But knowing in the back of my mind that I need to win one match within three months to become world number one, that was difficult for me and obviously being in a cast and not being able to not only play but just simply to walk and do daily things, that was tough.”

Alexander Zverev came close to French Open glory in 2024

Two years after his injury nightmare, Zverev recorded his best result at the French Open. He began his most recent campaign in Paris against the same man who had to retire two years earlier.

This time Zverev recorded a straight sets win, in what was Nadal’s last appearance at the French Open before he retired after November’s Davis Cup finals.

He defeated another tour veteran in David Goffin round two, before needing five sets to get past Tallon Griekspoor.

In round four, Zverev came from behind not once but twice to outlast Holger Rune, and he quelled the challenge of Alex de Minaur in the quarter-finals.

Casper Ruud, who has reached the French Open final in 2022 and 2023, was unable to make it three in a row after Zverev won their semi-final encounter in four sets.

Zverev was one set away from winning his first Grand Slam, until Alcaraz turned the tables and sealed his first title at Roland Garros, meaning Zverev’s long wait for a major continues.

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