Alexander Zverev dubs 2025 "incredibly unsatisfying" after ATP Finals exit 

A third Grand Slam final appearance and a title on home soil weren't enough for Alexander Zverev this year.

"The tennis season is long, you have a lot of up and downs. For me there were not many ups," he said after losing to Felix Auger-Aliassime at the ATP Finals on Friday, a loss which meant he wouldn't advance out of the group stage in Turin.

While Zverev will finish a firm No. 3 behind the "Big 2" of Carlos Alcaraz and Jannik Sinner in the ATP rankings this year, the German said after losing out on the chance to play for a third title at the year-end championships that his season, which was marred by bouts with injury and inconsistent play, left a lot to be desired.

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Q. You finished the year No. 3, which is excellent, action, behind Carlos and Jannik. If we look at the tournament, you just won Munich. I think maybe deep inside you I guess you want more. How would you rate your season from 1 to 10? Are you going to play the Davis Cup?

ALEXANDER ZVEREV: Yeah, I'll play. I'll play the Davis Cup.

For me, an incredibly unsatisfying season. The tennis season is long, you have a lot of up and downs. For me there were not many ups. I think for me the Australian Open final, Munich as you mentioned. Everything else, I'm very unsatisfied.

Yeah, that's it.

Zverev had first commented on his "nightmare" year after a 6-4, 6-3 loss to Jannik Sinner in pool play, confessing that shoulder, back and ankle injuries made it "difficult for [him] to improve when I always had to try to get healthy." After seeing his tournament in Turin come to an end, the 28-year-old reiterated that protecting his body will be the priority above all else as he once again chases a much sought-after Grand Slam title in 2026.

Q. Looking into next year, what are the main things you want to do differently? You mentioned the other day about you had a lot of niggling injuries. Is it that? Are there things in your mind you want to do differently?

ALEXANDER ZVEREV: Yeah, I mean, staying fit is number one for me priority because then I can build. It's as simple as that. I feel like over the last month I was still building up quite nicely. I feel like my level has been improving. Today it was nowhere near what it was the last month.

But yeah, I mean, look, I'll play Davis Cup, then I'll take some time off, then I'll have some time to think about it.

Right now it's a disappointment with the loss. It's not only a disappointment with the loss, it's a disappointment with how I performed with my capabilities. The last couple days, I definitely played better. For me, that's the most disappointing.