Also congratulating Sinner was Novak Djokovic, who retired hurt in his Melbourne semi-final against Zverev.

The German currently occupies a career-high ranking of number two, with only world number one Sinner having got the better of him at the Australian Open.

The loss represents a third Grand Slam final defeat for Zverev, who has suffered similar heartache in New York and Paris.

Alexander Zverev told his best chance of Grand Slam success is French Open

Dominic Thiem overcame Zverev at the 2020 US Open, with Carlos Alcaraz then beating him at the 2024 French Open.

A third such defeat now has former players John Isner, Sam Querrey and Jack Sock debating whether or not he will one day eventually get over the line.

READ MORE: John McEnroe shocked by what Alexander Zverev did in the Australian Open as he shares what he found really surprising about his performance

Discussing Zverev’s best chance to win a Grand Slam, Isner said on the Nothing Major podcast: “I think it’s the French.”

Agreeing, Querrey noted: “I think so too. His ball striking. He is a big guy. He has long levers. He can hit the ball through the clay.

“He has been to the finals of the French Open, I think that is his best opportunity, especially if the draw sets up right for him.

“He will most likely be a top four seed, depending on what half he gets in, if he can avoid Sinner or Alcaraz based on the seeding, if one of those guys get knocked out… I put the French Open as the Slam which he has the best chance to win.”

Sock then added: “I would say there or New York. I feel like Arthur Ashe is a bit slower now, so he can hit through the court well as he gets later in to it. He has been to a final there as well.”

John Isner says Alexander Zverev needs to ‘improve at the net’ to win Wimbledon

Zverev simply didn’t come close to really troubling Sinner at the Australian Open, with the Italian not conceding a single break point.

It was certainly a different story to his previous Grand Slam defeats to Thiem and Alcaraz, both of which were five-set thrillers.

READ MORE: Jannik Sinner has advice for Alexander Zverev after beating him in the Australian Open final in straight sets

Zverev is clearly capable of showing up when it matters, with his 23 ATP titles including two ATP Finals wins.

But lifting that elusive Grand Slam trophy is surely now the aim, having reached the finals of three of the four major tournaments.

As Isner also alluded to, however, Zverev has really struggled at Wimbledon, having only ever reached the fourth round and no further in his career so far.

“Something is holding him back at Wimbledon,” said Isner. “He doesn’t volley that well. I think that has held him back at Wimbledon a bit.

“He has had opportunities to put away volleys and he just doesn’t quite do it. I think he could improve at the net. There’s no reason he couldn’t do well at Wimbledon. He can play well on all surfaces.”

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