'I'm convinced he can become world number one': Boris Becker softens tone after Alexander Zverev criticism

Boris Becker has dialled back his recent criticisms of Alexander Zverev, striking a far more conciliatory tone ahead of Wimbledon and insisting he remains firmly in the world number three’s corner.

Speaking live on Eurosport with Andrea Petkovic at the WTA tournament in Bad Homburg, the six-time Grand Slam champion expressed confidence in Zverev’s future and clarified his remarks made during the French Open.

"I'm on his side. I want him to win," Becker said. "These are just suggestions for improvement or hints.".

The comments follow weeks of tension between the two Germans. After Zverev’s quarterfinal defeat to Novak Djokovic at Roland Garros, Becker, alongside Eurosport colleague Barbara Rittner, suggested the 27-year-old could benefit from a fresh coaching perspective outside his current team, which is led by his father Alexander Sr. and brother Mischa.

Zverev didn’t take kindly to the remarks. Speaking at the Stuttgart Open, he fired back: "When things are going well for me, I always do everything right, when things are going badly for me, everyone is always very, very clever. Unfortunately, Boris is one of them.".

Now, Becker appears eager to put the spat behind them. "I'm convinced he can become world number one," he said. "I'm convinced he can win a Grand Slam. He's by far the best German. That's why I'm making these statements. I see the potential. I see the opportunity.".

The main point of contention remains Zverev’s long-standing coaching setup. Becker reiterated his stance that an external voice could provide the added edge needed to achieve long-coveted goals.

"It's up to him to develop further," he explained. "I believe that even in a good partnership, you don't always have to agree.".

Zverev’s grass-court campaign has seen solid progress, albeit with narrow setbacks. He reached the final in Stuttgart but lost in straight sets to Taylor Fritz, 3–6, 6–7(0), and made the semifinals in Halle before falling to Daniil Medvedev in three with a score of 6–7(3), 7-6(1), 4–6. Despite missing out on a title, the performances have reaffirmed his status as one of the top contenders heading into Wimbledon.

As Wimbledon looms, Zverev enters the draw as the number three seed, carrying momentum and growing experience on grass, a surface that has historically proven less fruitful for him but he has always made it far in most Grand Slams.

Ultimately, with Wimbledon just days away, both men seem aligned on one thing: Alexander Zverev’s best could still be yet to come.