Nadal believes Zverev lacks mental strength to win a Grand Slam title
German tennis player Alexander and Spain's Rafael Nadal pose for a photo before during the 2024 French Open tennis tournament (Roland-Garros). Frank Molter/dpa
Tennis great Rafael Nadal believes that Germany's Alexander Zverev has so far lacked the mental strength to win a Grand Slam title.
"Unfortunately, I think it's about his head. Because if you look at his tennis level, he should have won one already," Nadal told the L'Equipe newspaper ahead of the French Open, which starts on Sunday.
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Zverev won Olympic gold at Tokyo 2020, but has lost all three Grand Slam finals he's played so far in his career - US Open in 2020, French Open last year and the Australian Open in January.
Earlier this week, Zverev was humbled by Frenchman Alexandre Muller as he crashed out of his home Hamburg Open in the last 16.
"He's an impressive player, but he hasn't managed to win a Grand Slam year," said Nadal, who won 14 French Open titles during his career.
Nadal made his final appearance at the French Open last year and was defeated by Zverev in the first round.
The tennis great also praised current stars Carlos Alcaraz and Jannik Sinner and said that they are both the top favourites to win the Roland Garros title this year.
Both are clearly "above the others" and are "truly capable of having the strength to make the difference."
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