Daniil Medvedev Says Alexander Zverev ‘Deserves Everything He Has Achieved’ Because He’s ‘Incredibly Consistent’

When Jannik Sinner and Carlos Alcaraz were dealing with physical problems, the one player who capitalized the most was Alexander Zverev. The German ace not only reached three Grand Slam finals, winning two titles, but will also be ending this season ranked No.1.

He did this when Alcaraz was injured and Sinner lost early, and when Sinner was injured and Alcaraz lost before reaching the final. The Spaniard skipped the French Open and Wimbledon due to his wrist injury. In Paris, Sinner lost to Juan Manuel Cerundolo in the second round due to cramps. Later at Wimbledon, he beat Zverev in the final.

Then, before the US Open, the Italian ace injured his knee, and Alcaraz lost to eventual runner-up Ben Shelton in the quarterfinals. With so many points to defend and the injury forcing him to end his season, Zverev will dethrone him from the No. 1 ranking.

Because Sascha did not face either Alcaraz or Sinner en route to his career’s two biggest wins, many are convinced he wouldn’t have ended his Major title drought this season had both been healthy. But Daniil Medvedev, who is competing at the Almaty Open, said Zverev deserves everything because he has been consistent a great deal this season.

There are these top two players (Alcaraz and Sinner) who, of course, when they’re in shape and injury-free, are tough to play against. And in that regard, Sascha Zverev has done absolutely brilliantly, and he deserves everything he’s achieved.

Daniil Medvedev told Championat

Medvedev has met Zverev 22 times, winning 14. They last met in the quarterfinals of the 2025 Paris Masters, where the Russian won.

Because he was in that situation – he’s the World No.1, and he’s incredibly consistent. Even if you watch every match in Shanghai, he might not have played his best tennis, but he still made it to the semifinals. That’s what strength is all about; that’s what consistency is all about, and that’s why he deserves it. He’s had three Grand Slam finals and another semifinal – he’s earned it all.

Daniil Medvedev added

Following the US Open, Zverev competed at the Laver Cup, China Open, and the Shanghai Masters. In Beijing, eventual champion Novak Djokovic beat him in the quarterfinals, while in Shanghai, eventual champion Alejandro Davidovich Fokina ended his run in the semifinals.

Daniil Medvedev on becoming a top 5 player once again

At the Almaty Open, Daniil Medvedev kicked off his title defense by cruising past Sho Shimabukuro. He has set up his quarterfinal match against Terence Atmane, who overcame Mattia Bellucci in three sets that also included three tie-breaks.

Last year, the 2021 US Open champion was on the verge of dropping out of the top 20 due to his topsy-turvy season. He started this season ranked No.9, but thanks to his wins in Brisbane, Dubai, and Hangzhou, as well as his run to the final in Indian Wells, Medvedev now stands at No.5.

To be completely honest, it doesn’t matter at all right now what format it’s all in, because it’s already the end of the season. I don’t care at all whether I’m fourth, fifth, or sixth. What’s more important here is the Race and how you finish the season. Even if I ended up sixth this week instead of fifth, it wouldn’t make any difference to me. Here, I really need to try to catch Shelton. And depending on how you play, you can catch Shelton.

Daniil Medvedev told Championat

The ATP Finals kicks off on November 15. Two-time defending champion Jannik Sinner won’t play. Medvedev won this event back in 2020.  

Also read: Novak Djokovic Told His Biggest Problem This Year Is Mental and Not Physical: “He’s Nervous in the First Round”