John McEnroe has offered Alexander Zverev some words of reassurance amid speculation about the German’s potential Australian Open title. Following Novak Djokovic’s retirement during their semifinal match, some have questioned whether a Grand Slam victory under these circumstances would carry the same weight. However, McEnroe, a tennis legend himself, believes such concerns are misplaced.
McEnroe, who won his first major at the 1979 US Open at age 20, recalled his own experience of benefiting from defaults during his title run. Speaking on Nine, he noted that decades later, no one remembers how he achieved the milestone, only that he did. “The first time I ever won a major, I got a couple of defaults, and I bet no one here, not even you two—Jelena or John—would know that,” McEnroe stated.
McEnroe emphasized that Zverev’s path to the title should not diminish the achievement. “In 10 years’ time, if Zverev ever wins this, no one’s going to know or care that Novak didn’t play. He got through; it’s not his fault. But it’s a bummer because it was starting to get very interesting,” he added.
For Zverev, this Australian Open marks a pivotal moment in his career. Having reached his first final at Melbourne Park, the German now has the chance to silence critics and cement his place among the game’s elite.
Zverev Set to Face Sinner in the Final
Zverev’s opponent in the final will be Jannik Sinner, one of the rising stars of men’s tennis. The 23-year-old Italian is coming off a phenomenal 2024 season, where he captured his first two Grand Slam titles at the Australian Open and the US Open. Sinner enters Sunday’s final as the favorite, bolstered by his improved consistency and composure in big matches.
Zverev, meanwhile, has had his share of heartbreak on the biggest stages. He famously let a two-set lead and championship point slip in the 2020 US Open final against Dominic Thiem and fell short again in a five-set thriller against Carlos Alcaraz at the 2024 French Open.
While Zverev leads their head-to-head 4-2, all of his victories came before Sinner’s emergence as a top-tier player. The Italian’s lone win over Zverev last year, at the Cincinnati Masters, showcased his evolution and highlighted the German’s challenge in the final.
Whether or not Zverev capitalizes on this opportunity, McEnroe’s words ring true: history remembers champions, not the details of how they won. If Zverev secures his maiden Grand Slam title, Djokovic’s retirement will likely fade into the background, leaving the German with a legacy-defining achievement.
