Alexander Zverev Details Motivation Behind His Recent Racket Change
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Alexander Zverev switched his racket in the closing stages of last season and explained that decision before the 2025 Argentina Open.
Zverev played his opening match of the Argentina Open on Wednesday, beating Dusan Lajovic. It was the German's first appearance at the event since he usually plays on hardcourts in February before the North American swing in March.
The decision surprised some after Zverev had stuck rigidly to playing on hard courts during February throughout his career, but it turns out that having a new racket played a role in the decision to compete in South America.
Zverev began using Head's Gravity Tour racket after last year's Shanghai Open, and the three-time Grand Slam runner-up said that wanting to play on clay with his new racket influenced the decision to play in South America, since his main goal is to win the 2025 French Open.
"I changed racquets last year after Shanghai. I really want to play on clay with that racquet as soon as possible, just to see what it feels like, just to see what it gives me."
"It's no secret my main goal, my main focus is Roland Garros, right? That's the one I'm looking forward to. I want to win a Grand Slam. I want to do well at those events, so I want to get on clay as soon as possible so I find my rhythm on the surface."
Zverev played well at the 2025 Australian Open, his first Grand Slam with the new racket. He reached the final in Melbourne but was comprehensively beaten by Jannik Sinner.
However, Zverev's words make it sound like the racket change was particularly with the clay court season in mind. Performing impressively with it on the hard courts at the Australian Open might give him additional confidence that success on clay is possible.
Many would have expected Zverev to take some time off after that brutal defeat to Sinner, but that was not the case. The world No. 2 admits he is not great at disconnecting and always wants to get back to work.
"In that regard, I'm actually quite bad. I can't take rest. Especially when I lose, I can't sit still, I have to go and work out. I have to do something. I have to feel like I'm getting better because if I'm doing nothing, I feel like I'm not getting better."
"I took a flight home, got back on Tuesday evening, had stuff to do on Wednesday and on Thursday on I was practicing already."
Zverev will hope the racket change proves the difference that finally gets him over the line in a Grand Slam final. He was one set away from winning last year's French Open but lost from two sets to one up against Carlos Alcaraz.
Competing at the 2025 Argentina Open could be a wise move. He will have to play on hardcourts in Indian Wells and Miami next month, but Zverev is not hiding that the next Grand Slam at Roland Garros is his primary goal.
