Abba’s timeless hit “The Winner Takes It All” resonates as Alexander Zverev processes his defeat to Jannik Sinner in the 2025 Australian Open final. Zverev reflects on his struggles and past booing incidents while Sinner celebrates his rise in men’s tennis, despite facing doping allegations. Both players navigate the pressures of expectations, with Zverev still in pursuit of his first Grand Slam title. The match highlighted Sinner’s dominance and Zverev’s emotional turmoil, underscoring their contrasting journeys.
Abba, the iconic Swedish pop sensation, remains timeless in the music world. Interestingly, they penned the soundtrack for the 2025 Australian Open final back in the summer of 1979. The poignant lyrics, “The winner takes it all, the loser standing small,” are from their hit song of the same name, which soared to number one on the charts in Belgium, Ireland, the Netherlands, South Africa, and Great Britain. By the end of 1980, it also ranked among the most celebrated songs in the US Billboard charts. Initially, this song was intended to be titled “The Story of my Life.”
What is it about us that makes us sympathize with the underdogs? Alexander Zverev certainly understands this sentiment. However, after his defeat in the Australian Open final against Italy’s Jannik Sinner, the 27-year-old was reluctant to delve into his feelings. “It stinks to be standing here on the court again and being able to look at the trophy but not touch it,” he expressed. The crowd, which he had criticized just days prior for booing Serbian Novak Djokovic, rallied around him with supportive applause.
Zverev’s Emotional Turmoil
Zverev is no stranger to the sting of being booed; he experienced it himself during the previous year’s tournament in Australia. His personal life, marred by turbulent relationships that allegedly involved disputes and physical confrontations, has impacted his public image. Nevertheless, he has not faced condemnation for these issues. The matter was recently closed by the Berlin District Court Tiergarten through an out-of-court settlement, leaving him without a conviction.
In the stands, Zverev’s new partner, German television presenter Sophia Thomalla, watched with tears in her eyes, marking her first attendance at a major final in his career. Zverev had previously mentioned to German media that perhaps her presence was the missing piece he needed for success, a statement he made in jest, yet it highlights the depth of his confusion.
The German player, who has Russian roots, has been competing professionally since 2013, accumulating 23 titles, including an Olympic gold medal in 2021 and two World Tour Finals victories in 2018 and 2021. However, he continues to chase his elusive first Grand Slam title.
Historical Context: Greats Who Overcame Initial Failures
Zverev is not alone in this struggle. Tennis legends such as Ivan Lendl, Andre Agassi, Goran Ivanisevic, Andy Murray, Dominic Thiem, and Casper Ruud all faced similar challenges, losing their first three major finals. Notably, Lendl, Agassi, and Murray later celebrated Grand Slam triumphs. Stan Wawrinka’s first major title came at the age of 29 at the 2014 Australian Open, leading to further successes in Paris and New York.
Despite the setbacks, Zverev still has the opportunity to turn his fortunes around. However, each new disappointment weighs heavily on his mental state. In the final against Sinner, he matched him for a significant portion of the match, yet it became clear that Sinner maintained a cooler demeanor when the pressure escalated.
Sinner’s Rise to Dominance on Hard Courts
Throughout the match, Sinner appeared to experience discomfort, frequently grabbing his left thigh. Nevertheless, these issues did not impede his performance, as he successfully defended against zero break points. After 2 hours and 45 minutes of play, Sinner clinched victory with a final score of 6:3-7:6-6:3.
It was a touching moment when Sinner consoled his opponent post-match, but Zverev’s disappointment was palpable. “I’m just not good enough – it’s that simple,” he admitted, eliciting applause from the audience.
The spotlight, however, belonged to Sinner. At just 23, he has established himself as a formidable player in men’s tennis, with his dominance beginning a year ago when he secured his first title in Melbourne. He managed to overcome a two-set deficit in his Grand Slam debut against Daniil Medvedev. Following his Melbourne triumph in 2024, he ignited a tennis craze in Italy, bridging language divides in a country reminiscent of Switzerland.
Having claimed three of the last five major titles, Sinner’s only obstacle last year was the Spaniard Carlos Alcaraz, who thwarted him at Roland Garros and Wimbledon. On hard courts, the Italian is currently a force to be reckoned with, winning an impressive eight titles in 2024 alone.
Lingering Doping Allegations
Despite his triumphs, Sinner’s joy is overshadowed by ongoing doping allegations. Reports surfaced indicating he had tested positive for the steroid Clostebol during the Indian Wells tournament and a subsequent training control. Fortunately for him, he faced no suspension, but the case remains unresolved, with a hearing scheduled for March at the international sports court in Lausanne. Before the Melbourne tournament, Sinner expressed confidence in his innocence, allowing him to compete.
Until the allegations are fully addressed, doubts will linger. This uncertainty does little to comfort Zverev, who, at 27, is still in the prime of his career. After appealing to the audience for more respect towards Djokovic during the semi-finals, he garnered sympathy from fans.
It is clear that Zverev has grown as a player. Renowned German tennis figure Boris Becker remarked post-match on Eurosport: “On the court, Alexander lost, but off it, he is a winner.” Still, Becker’s victory in Melbourne in 1996 remains the last for a German player, emphasizing the importance of securing that coveted title.