Becker says his Zverev row has “cooked far too hot” and wishes him “all the best for Turin”

Boris Becker has tried to calm his public dispute with Alexander Zverev, saying it has “cooked far too hot” and wishing the new world No 1 well for the ATP Finals in Turin. It is a notable change of tone from a fortnight in which the two Germans traded barbs through the press.

What Becker said

Speaking to Sky, in remarks reported by Tennis365, Becker said: “Everything is cooked far too hot. Much is exaggerated, many headlines. I don’t have to give any more mustard.” He insisted that anyone who reads his whole interview with Spiegel “will notice that I was not disrespectful to Sascha”.

He then went further than a ceasefire. “It’s the best thing that could have happened to Germany that we have such a real superstar,” Becker said. “He’s number one in the world, he deserves it this year.” He finished with: “I have great respect for Sascha Zverev and wish him all the best for Turin.”

How the row began

The background matters. Six weeks ago Becker said it was a “disgrace” that many of Zverev’s critics were downplaying his two major wins in 2026. Zverev later said he was “not very interested” in Becker’s opinion. Then came the Spiegel interview, in which Becker said of Zverev: “His parents are from Russia; he speaks Russian to his box on the court. He doesn’t comment politically on the war in Ukraine at all, which I personally understand, but of course it doesn’t go down so well.”

Zverev hit back, calling Becker’s remarks “strange” and suggesting that the 58-year-old talks about him a great deal these days. We covered the exchange in Becker’s earlier claim that Zverev has not won over Germany.

Why the olive branch now?

Becker’s softer line arrives at an awkward moment for Zverev. The German became world No 1 on 2 November after winning the French Open and the US Open, yet he lost early at the Paris Masters and has a 3-9 record against top-10 opposition this year. He told reporters he was annoyed by the reaction to his ascent to the top of the rankings, a debate we explored in our look at whether Zverev is a deserving No 1.

From Becker’s perspective, the public argument was becoming the story. He is a six-time major champion and a former coach of Novak Djokovic, and his words carry weight in Germany, so every comment on Zverev’s heritage or his place in the sport was turned into a headline. By saying he has “great respect” for Zverev, he has tried to take that heat out of the exchange.

Does it change anything?

Possibly not for the critics. The doubts about Zverev’s year, based on the gap in results against the best players and the injuries that kept Carlos Alcaraz and Jannik Sinner out for long stretches, will not disappear because Becker has softened his tone. Zverev can address them more convincingly in Turin, where he is one of the favourites, than in a press-room argument.

Becker’s message does remove one distraction. Zverev now has a respectful word from one of Germany’s greatest players going into Turin, even if it follows a fortnight of harsher ones.