'Zverev has an advantage over Djokovic in that respect' - Boris Becker highlights a determining factor ahead of the Roland Garros quarterfinals

Having coached both men, Boris Becker is very familiar with the gamestyle of Novak Djokovic and Alexander Zverev. The duo are slated to clash in the quarterfinals of the ongoing Roland Garros tournament, and Becker is backing the younger Zverev to emerge victorious.

This will be the second consecutive Grand Slam event where both players meet, with Zverev prevailing in their semifinal encounter at the 2025 Australian Open earlier this year. However, the match did not have a definitive victor, as Djokovic was forced to retire due to injury after losing the first set.

Djokovic's experience versus Zverev's youth, says Becker

The Serbian has shifted his focus strictly to winning Grand Slam titles, with 24 Majors already to his name. Conversely, Zverev is yet to win a Major title, having fallen short to Alcaraz at last year's French Open final and to Jannik Sinner at this year's Australian Open.

With both men entering this tournament as favorites, Becker believes their mega clash on Wednesday will come down to Djokovic's motivation taking on Zverev's physicality.

"Djokovic is only still playing tennis because he wants to win Grand Slam tournaments," Becker said. "The magical number of 25 is in the air, of course, which is why he's probably most dangerous at Grand Slams.
"Sascha Zverev is perhaps physically the strongest player still competing. He loves long matches, he loves the challenges. But you win the big matches in your head and not in your legs.

"Roland-Garros is a very physical tournament where you have to push yourself to your physical limits for three to four hours. Zverev has an advantage over Djokovic in that respect.

"I would definitely favor Zverev. He's the younger and fitter player. Of course, you also need mental strength in the fifth set, but above all, you need air and fresh legs.

"Djokovic comes from the generation of Federer and Nadal, where these mind games were sometimes decisive for a match. The younger players like [Jannik] Sinner, [Carlos] Alcaraz and Zverev are a bit more relaxed about it. But Novak will do everything he can and mobilize all his resources to win this match."

Although Djokovic leads 8-5 in their head to head meetings, Becker claims Zverev sees them as being on equal footing at the moment.

"He likes playing against Djokovic and has beaten him many times - most recently at the Australian Open, however, due to an injury," Becker continued. "Compared to Djokovic's record against almost all other players, Sascha is in a good position. He doesn't mind playing against the legend, but reality is on the court. I think it's 50-50.

"On paper, Sascha might be the slight favourite, but the matches have to be played first - and Djokovic will have a say in that."