Alexander Zverev clears the air after Roger Federer criticism

Alexander Zverev has responded to Roger Federer's criticism about the German's passive gameplay during decisive moments in big matches. The World No. 2 has admitted that the Swiss Maestro was right with his opinions about the way the German played during his match against Taylor Fritz at the US Open.

Zverev has been in the upper echelons of the game for many years and has earned numerous accolades, including an Olympic gold, two Nitto ATP Finals, a career-high World No. 2, and more. However, despite coming close on numerous occasions, the German has failed to win a Grand Slam.

Alexander Zverev has reacted to Roger Federer's crticism and acknowledged that he wasn't at his finest against Taylor Fritz at the US Open (via Blue News).

"That's nothing I don't know. It's absolutely clear to me that I didn't play the way I want to play. That was a terrible game from me. That's why it's completely okay what Roger said."

Roger Federer, who arrived in Berlin ahead of the 2024 Laver Cup, had opined that Zverev can be very passive in his style of play during decisive moments and needs to take up a more offensive approach to win Grand Slams. He mentioned Zverev's performance against Fritz at the New York major where he lost (2)6-7, 6-3, 4-6, (3)6-7.

"Against the best players in the world you have to take the initiative and play offensively. He didn't do that against Fritz,” Federer said.

The German has been in Grand Slam finals twice in his career. The first time was at the 2020 US Open when he lost to Dominic Thiem from two sets up. The second time was at the 2024 French Open when he failed to convert his 2-1 lead against Carlos Alcaraz.

Aside from his French Open run, the 27-year-old was ousted in the quarterfinals of the Australian Open by Daniil Medvedev from two sets up. He was eliminated by Taylor Fritz at both Wimbledon and the US Open. It is interesting to note that the German failed to convert his 2-0 lead against the American at SW19.

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"I feel like I did everything I could today" - Alexander Zverev on his five-set epic against Carlos Alcaraz at the 2024 French Open

The two men after their French Open final (Source: Getty)

After his disappointing defeat to Dominic Thiem in 2020, 23-year-old Alexander Zverev exuded confidence in himself and stated that he would be a Grand Slam champion one day.

However, after yet another heartbreaking defeat to Carlos Alcaraz in the final of the 2024 French Open, the German said that he felt like he gave it his all but lamented the unlucky moments in the match. He said that the Spaniard was the better player on the day but knew that his performance in the final was much better than his performance at the 2020 US Open final, where he fell apart.

"Yeah, I mean look, I feel like I did everything I could today. The fifth set, f***, there was some unlucky moments," Alexander Zverev said.

"Look, he played fantastic, he played better than me the fourth and fifth set and it's how it is. I mean I felt like this Grand Slam final did everything I could. At the US Open, I kind of gave it away myself, so it's a bit different."

Alexander Zverev will be teaming up with Carlos Alcaraz at the 2024 Laver Cup and the duo will take on Team World's Taylor Fritz and Ben Shelton on day 1.