'I feel ready': Zverev's next bid for first grand slam title

Alexander Zverev says he is "ready" to make another attempt at a maiden grand slam title, starting with the Australian Open from Sunday onwards.

The Tokyo 2020 Olympic champion has reached three finals at the majors but lost all of them, the latest 12 months ago in Melbourne against Jannik Sinner.

What followed for the 28-year-old German was a mostly difficult year with just one title, in Munich, and a first-round exit at Wimbledon, marred by injuries and mental problems.

But Zverev said he could "also be a little proud" to still be third in the rankings despite "what felt like 10 injuries."

Zverev recharged his batteries in the off-season and arrived in Melbourne as one of the first top players after an early German exit at the United Cup in Sydney.

But it remains to be seen how his body reacts, starting with a tricky first round match against Canadian Gabriel Diallo.

"I feel better each week but it takes time to make a bone healthy again," he said, without saying which bone he was referring to. He said the issue had limited him "extremely" in 2025 and that "we will see how it is now.

But he is confident overall, saying: "I feel ready to start the tournament. I feel fit and have the feeling that I have played very, very well in training."

In order to lift the trophy, Zverev will likely have to beat at least one from the dominant duo of Carlos Alcaraz and Sinner who have contested the last three grand slam finals and shared the last eight titles at the majors between themselves.

But German tennis icon Boris Becker, who has criticised Zverev in the past, believes that Zverev has a chance.

"Melbourne is actually a good place for him. But of course he has to find his feet in the tournament," Eurosport pundit Becker said, adding that Zverev once again has "another chance to show us all what he can do."