Australian Open: Zverev does not want to be 'the best player never to win a grand slam'

Alexander Zverev is determined not to go down as the "best player of all time to never win a grand slam".

Zverev was downed 6-3 7-6 (7-4) 6-3 by a dominant Jannik Sinner in the final of the Australian Open on Sunday.

It is the third time the German has lost a major final.

With a 107-36 record, Zverev has a 74.8% win ratio at the grand slams. That is the best win percentage of any man not to win a major title in the Open Era (minimum 10 matches played).

And Zverev does not want to consider the thought of ending his career without a grand slam crown.

"I'm doing everything I can. I'm working as hard as I ever did," a downtrodden Zverev told reporters.

"I think I'm doing all the right things off-court. I think I'm practicing the right things, but I lost in straight sets today.

"Those are facts. That is a fact. I lost to Jannik in straight sets today.

"I don't want to end my career as the best player of all time to never win a grand slam, that's for sure. I'll keep doing everything I can to lift one of those trophies."

These two Big respect for the sportsmanship on show tonight #AO2025 pic.twitter.com/W6MyCTRVfq
— ATP Tour (@atptour) January 26, 2025

Sinner appeared to console Zverev prior to the trophy presentations.

"I was quite down," Zverev said. "I was quite emotional also at that stage. I think he saw that.

"He said that I will definitely lift one of those trophies in my career. I'm too good not to. That's his words.

"It was a bit of a tough moment for me. I really thought I had a very good chance because I was feeling good. I was feeling the ball quite well. I felt like I could compete.

"So it was just a difficult moment for me. I mean, now for the third time, seeing somebody lift the trophy, me standing next to that is difficult because there's nothing more I want than to be able to hold one of those trophies in my hands."