Alexander Zverev gets Andy Roddick’s blunt Hall of Fame verdict amid massive Roland Garros opportunity

Alexander Zverev has been one of the most consistent players on the ATP Tour for years. Now, he may have his biggest chance yet to finally win a Grand Slam title. The road at Roland Garros suddenly looks very different after top seed Jannik Sinner suffered a shock second-round loss to Juan Manuel Cerundolo on Thursday. Sinner lost in five sets, ending the recent dominance he shared with Carlos Alcaraz at the major tournaments. With Alcaraz missing this year’s French Open because of injury, the spotlight has now shifted directly onto Zverev.The German star is now the highest-seeded player left in the draw. That brings a huge opportunity, but it also brings a lot of pressure. Former US Open champion Andy Roddick believes Zverev is now facing one of the most important moments of his career.Speaking on his Served podcast, Andy Roddick explained that Zverev will likely be feeling both excitement and pressure as the tournament moves forward. “He is going to feel equal parts opportunity and pressure.“This is his moment, time. Maybe the first time, even though he has had so much success, he is the favourite at this point in a Slam, or at least he thinks he’s the favourite.“All eyes on Novak against Fonseca, and then if Novak falls into the quarters, I think he automatically falls into the favourite based on experience and success.”Roddick then turned the conversation toward a bigger question surrounding Zverev’s career. Despite winning major titles outside Grand Slams, the German is still searching for his first Slam trophy.“Zverev though, would tell you this, if he does not win a Slam, is he a Hall of Fame? I don’t know, it hasn’t worked that way recently. If he wins a Slam there is no question.“He’s at 550 wins already and it’s not like he’s fading, he’s won 30 matches already this year.“His career metrics outside of a Slam are better than a lot of people who are in, including myself. If you look at Masters 1000 won, he won year in championships, he won the Olympics. There is no doubt.“If I’m in, he is in. But it literally is going to be about him winning a Slam or not winning a Slam.”Roddick also pointed out that Zverev has often spoken about being next in line behind the sport’s biggest stars. Now, with the draw opening up, the former world No. 1 believes the German has the perfect chance to prove it.“It’s not as if he’s going to come out and miss every ball. But if you are that guy, and he has said time after time, I am the next one. It’s those two and then I’m the guy. Well, this is it. This is it! This is the chance.“Just so we are clear. There are no easy passes. Someone is hurt, and someone loses, the best player of all time is still in the draw.”With Jannik Sinner out and Carlos Alcaraz absent, Alexander Zverev now stands in a position many players dream of. The opportunity is there, but so is the pressure. Over the next few days, all eyes will be on whether he can finally turn years of success into the Grand Slam title that has so far remained out of reach.