Zverev’s Serve Improves, Aiding Rise to ATP No. 2

RIO DE JANEIRO, Brazil — Alexander Zverev has surged to the No. 2 spot in the ATP rankings, with a standout performance during the 2024 season attributed largely to significant improvements in his serving game. The German tennis star notched an impressive 69 match wins and held serve 90.2% of the time, marking his highest career percentage and a remarkable step up from 84.7% in 2023.

Zverev’s ability to win service games has elevated his standing among elite players, putting him in competition with distinguished servers in the sport. According to the Infosys ATP Beyond The Numbers analysis, Zverev’s service consistency is a key driver of his success. He dominated matches last season, winning all 34 encounters where he didn’t lose serve, equating to 40.5% of his matches.

“Changing the ball toss on my serve and having a more consistent second serve were the number one factors in my improvement,” Zverev shared in a recent interview. “I worked on my serve intensively, and it’s paying off.”

Historically, Zverev averaged between 2.7 and 5.7 double faults per match from 2014 to 2023. However, in 2024, he cut that down to just two per match, a notable reduction that has contributed to his winning percentage on serve.

His first-serve success mirrored this improvement; Zverev achieved a personal best with a first-serve percentage of 71% and won 76.8% of his first-serve points. These statistics underscore his tactical prowess on the court.

Former ATP player Mark Knowles praised Zverev’s serving capabilities, stating, “Sascha hits a cannon for a first serve. To have that high of a first-serve percentage is why he’s right up there in the rankings.”

In the opening tournaments of the 2025 season, he mirrored his previous year’s success, winning 90% of his service games and securing eight of nine matches. However, during subsequent clay tournaments in South America, Zverev’s performance fluctuated, with a dip to 77% in service games won, leading to early quarterfinal exits.

Despite these setbacks, Zverev remains a formidable contender on the ATP Tour. As he continues to refine his serve, his stature in the tennis world only strengthens.