This edition of the US Open is particularly important for Alexander Zverev, who dreams of finally breaking the curse that haunts him in Grand Slam tournaments. The world number 3 has had an exceptional career so far, but he lacks the triumph in the most important tournaments on the calendar to remain etched in the history of tennis.
The German ace had made several improvements in the latter part of last season and seemed ready to reach this milestone, but the final of the 2025 Australian Open against world number 1 Jannik Sinner gave him a totally negative response having been dominated from start to finish.
Sascha sank into a serious crisis after that loss and struggled to play his best tennis again in the following months, lifting only one trophy in Munich and disappointing expectations especially in the Masters 1000 and Grand Slam tournaments (Roland Garros and Wimbledon).
Zverev on hisrelationship with Melo
Immediately after the Championships, he went to Rafael Nadal's academy in Manacor and worked together with uncle Toni for more than a week with excellent sensations. The champion from Hamburg reached the semifinals at both the Canadian Open in Toronto and the Cincinnati Masters 1000, where he also had a small discomfort that prevented him from being at the top of his shape against Carlos Alcaraz.
Shortly before the start of the US Open, the former world number 2 gave a nice interview to the ATP YouTube channel. In particular, Zverev focused on his relationship with Marcelo Melo with whom he created a very special friendship.
"My theory is that we became friends in Beijing in 2015," Zverev stated. "The first time we talked was in the locker room. Then we both came to Stockholm early, had nothing to do, so we went to a sushi place together and bought a PlayStation 4. We started playing FIFA that was the beginning of our friendship. The friendship started because we were so bored and just started playing FIFA in Stockholm he added.
