Alex Zverev will be left with “scar tissue” after one of the most dramatic matches in Australian Open history, according to an Aussie great.
While on one side of the net, Carlos Alcaraz celebrated one of the most remarkable wins Melbourne Park has ever seen, the world No.3 was left heartbroken.
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After recovering from two sets down Zverev was primed to take advantage of an injured and seemingly broken Alcaraz, and make amends for previous collapses in the second weeks of grand slams.
Instead, one of the best players to have never won a slam walked off Rod Laver Arena knowing he had missed one of his best chances yet.
Zverev served for a spot in the final at 5-4 in the fifth set but lost four consecutive games to end the match.
But, as Aussie doubles legend Todd Woodbridge explained on commentary, it will only add to the pressure Zverev feels in future big matches.
“There’s a few scars there, the scar tissue is lurking,” Todd Woodbridge said on Nine.
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Most notably Zverev lost from two sets up in the 2020 US Open final when he and Dominic Thiem were both trying to win a first slam.
He also lost from two sets up in the 2024 Australian Open semi-finals.
Zverev was applauded for his sportsmanship after match point and, with some time to escape the immediate emotions, came into his press conference with a level head.
“Unbelievable fight, battle,” Zverev said post-match.
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“Unfortunate ending for me but to be honest I had absolutely nothing left.
“Even at 5-4 normally I can rely on my serve a bit more but my legs stopped pushing upwards, so yeah. This is life, you move on.”
He was still frustrated by the handling of Alcaraz’s medical timeout for cramping, believing it should not have been allowed.
“He was cramping and you can’t take a medical timeout for cramping. What can I do? I didn’t like it, but it’s not my decision,” Zverev said.
“I just said it was bulls**t, basically.
“But to be honest I don’t want to talk about this right now because it was one of the best battles there’s ever been in Australia.”
However while frustrated with the loss Zverev said his biggest regret was dropping the second set, which he felt he should have won.
ZVEREV’S NOTABLE SLAM DEFEATS
Up two sets in US Open 2020 final vs Dominic Thiem – 2-6 4-6 6-4 6-3 7-6(6)
Up two sets in Australian Open 2024 semi-final vs Daniil Medvedev – 5-7 3-6 7-6(4) 7-6(5) 6-3
Up 2-1 in French Open 2024 final vs Carlos Alcaraz – 6-3 2-6 5-7 6-1 6-2
Recovered from 0-2 in Australian Open 2025 semi-final vs Carlos Alcaraz – 6-4 7-6(5) 6-7(3) 6-7(4) 7-5
Recovered from 0-2 in French Open 2021 semi-final vs Stefanos Tsitsipas – 6-3 6-3 4-6 4-6 6-3
Up two sets in Wimbledon 2024 fourth round vs Taylor Fritz – 4-6 6-7(4) 6-4 7-6(3) 6-3
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