Alexander Zverev Reveals Why He ‘Loves’ ATP 500 Format After First-Round Win at China Open

Alexander Zverev is a fan of the ATP 500 format. Sascha is currently competing at the China Open as the top seed.

The top seed defeated Cameron Norrie 7-6(1), 6-4 in the first round to set up his next match against Shang Juncheng. At the press conference after downing the Brit, Zverev talked about why he loves the ATP 500 format and called for a change to the Masters 1000 events.

I love it. I think Masters 1000s events should be like that. That’s what it used to be. Masters 1000 events, eight players had a bye, the rest didn’t. You saw first-round matches which were unbelievable. The No. 16 in the world could play the No. 17 in the world. The No. 9 in the world could play the No. 18 in the world. I think that was unbelievable to see.

Alexander Zverev said (H/T: Tennis365)

Zverev is a six-time champion at the ATP 500 level, last winning a title at the Bavarian Championships in 2025. Since then, he has only played one final at this level, at the 2025 Vienna Open, which he lost to Jannik Sinner.

Now you got to wait for third round for like a week for matches like that to happen. I think the 500 format hasn’t changed, which I really like. I think the format here is great. I have nothing bad to say about it.

Alexander Zverev added

Before the China Open, the two-time Grand Slam champion competed in three ATP 500 tournaments this season. He first lost to Miomir Kecmanovic in the Mexican Open final, then to eventual runner-up Flavio Cobolli in the semifinal of the BMW Open. At the Halle Open next, eventual runner-up Taylor Fritz knocked him out in the semifinals. Zverev has never clinched the title in Beijing. Last year in the tournament, he lost to Daniil Medvedev in the quarterfinals.

Alexander Zverev believes Rafael Jodar will be an unbelievable player in the future

The one rising star who has impressed the most this season on the men’s tour is none other than Rafael Jodar. Jodar is playing on the tour for the first time and has already reached the main draw of all four Grand Slams, including the quarterfinals of the French Open.

The 19-year-old has already reached two finals. He first won the Grand Prix Hassan II by defeating Marco Trungelliti, before losing the Citi Open to Taylor Fritz.

In the Paris Major, it was Alexander Zverev who ended his run in the last eight in straight sets. Jodar was last seen in action at the Japan Open, before both he and Zverev represented Team Europe at the Laver Cup. There, in an interview with SL Man, the World No.2 said that he is foreseeing nothing but a bright future for Jodar.

I am training with Rafa Jodar. He is a young guy; he is super exciting. I think he is going to be unbelievable in a couple of years’ time. If he asks me, I will always try to help. If he doesn’t ask me, I don’t want to interfere with what he has. But if somebody asks me, I will always try and help.

In Tokyo, Jodar lost to Adolfo Daniel Vallejo Alvarez in his opening-round match. At the Laver Cup, the Spaniard defeated Team World’s Alexander Bublik.

He will next be seen in action at the Shanghai Masters, which starts on October 7. Jodar produced his best Masters 1000 performance at the Canadian Open, reaching the semifinals before losing to Brandon Nakashima.

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