Chasing a career Grand Slam in Melbourne, the world No.1 summoned flashes of transcendent shot-making at do-or-die moments to become the youngest player in the Open era to reach all four major finals.
“I didn’t do a good job in the third and fourth sets. I should have won them easier in a way, but he was hitting a lot of winners from the first shot, so I wasn’t getting into the rallies. I should have probably been a bit more aggressive,” Zverev said.
“But nevertheless, again, the biggest regret I have is probably the second set, not winning that, because I think it would have changed being one set all, and then him cramping.
“Even at 5-4 [in the fifth], you know, normally I can rely on my serve a bit more. My legs stopped pushing upward… that’s the way it is. This is life. We move on.”
Zverev is one of just three active players to have reached 10 or more men’s singles semifinals at Grand Slams, alongside Novak Djokovic and Alcaraz. In the Open era, he owns the highest win rate of any player yet to lift a major title.
Despite the heartbreak, Zverev ends his AO 2026 campaign proud of his fighting spirit against one of the sport’s champions, at peace knowing he left everything on the court.
“Unbelievable fight, battle. Unfortunate ending for me, but to be honest, I had absolutely nothing left in me.”