Kerber believes Zverev 'will win a grand slam' but first comes Tien
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Alexander Zverev will eventually win a grand slam tournament in his career, fellow German former majors champion Angelique Kerber believes.
"I am not worried at all about Alexander, I know that he will win a grand slam tournament one day. He trains too hard and is giving everything for it. That will pay off at some stage," Kerber said at the Australian Open.
"You have to remain patient and believe that you can do it. I also won my first grand slam at age 28."
Kerber won the Australian Open in 2016 and also triumphed at the US Open that year and at Wimbledon 2018. She retired in 2024 and is back in Melbourne to participate in the legends' tournament.
"Let's see if it already works out this year but I am convinced that he will definitely win a grand slam tournament, and maybe even more," she said of Zverev.
World number three Zverev, 28, has appeared in three grand slam finals, including last year in Melbourne, but lost all of them. He is now in the quarter-finals where he faces young American Learner Tien on Tuesday.
Tien, 20, brushed aside former US Open champion Daniil Medvendev in straight sets, including a second-set 6-0, and Zverev spoke highly of the ATP NextGen Finals champion who has risen to 29th in the rankings.
"Learner is a great player, I have a lot of respect for him," Zverev said. "There are a few young players that is talked about more. Learner is someone who delivers on court."
Former German great Boris Becker warned as Eurosport pundit that Tien will be a "a very difficult task" because "there is considerably more pressure" on Zverev.
However, Zverev was also the favourite in his previous four matches at Melbourne Park and he showed his best performance in the last 16 when he beat Francisco Cerundolo in straight sets, after losing all previous three encounters against the Argentine.
Zverev is happy that he is healthy after an injury plagued 2025, which shows on court.
“When I’m healthy, when I’m feeling well, I’m happy on the court and then everything becomes a bit easier. I don’t want to jinx it – we have hopefully three more tough matches and hopefully I can stay that way," he said.
Zverev said he also won't fear temperatures of up to 46 degrees Celsius forecast for Tuesday, with his match scheduled for 1:30 pm in the early afternoon.
"I am not really dealing with it because I have never had real problems with heat," he said.
