Australian Open 2025 LIVE updates: As the clock ticks down to AO final, experts say Zverev’s mentality holds the key to the result

There is a common theme emerging ahead of tonight’s men’s singles final – the prospect of winning or losing is all in German Alexander Zverev’s head.
“It will come down if he gets into a winning position, can he manage his side of the net?” asked four-time grand slam title winner and Nine commentator Jim Courier.
Alexander Zverev contemplates making it into the Australian Open final.Credit: AP
“Because he was in a winning position in the US Open final against Dominic Thiem, and he was serving for the championship and couldn’t do it. He was too conservative.
“Up last year in the Roland-Garros final he was two sets to one against Alcaraz (and lost).
“If he gets into a winning position (tonight), does he have the belief that he can do it? He will be tested.”
Fellow grand slam great John McEnroe said it was all about Zverev keeping his nerve and asking himself how deep he was willing to dig.
“I picked (Jannik) Sinner before the tournament, but Jim’s points are very well taken,” McEnroe said.
“If this guy can make this a war of attrition out there, which I suspect he will try and do, and serve big – I mean he has to serve big, which he has been doing – he has a great chance to finally getting over the hump.”