Alexander Zverev Reveals Whether He Considers Himself ‘Best’ Player in the World After US Open Triumph

Alexander Zverev will end the season with two Grand Slam titles, more than what Carlos Alcaraz and Jannik Sinner won. Alcaraz upset Novak Djokovic in the Australian Open final, while the Italian ace denied the Channel Slam to Zverev by beating him in the Wimbledon final.

Since the 2024 season, Sinner and Alcaraz have clinched a combined 10 Grand Slam titles, with both dominating in the previous two seasons. It was at this French Open final that Zverev ended their streak by outlasting Flavio Cobolli.

A confident Zverev then progressed not only beyond the fourth round of Wimbledon for the first time but went on to reach the final, only to suffer defeat at the hands of defending champion Sinner for the 10th consecutive time.

In Paris, Alcaraz did not compete as he was nursing a wrist injury he suffered during the Barcelona Open. Sinner suffered physical setbacks during his second-round match, which he ended up losing in a dramatic fashion despite needing just one game to claim the win.

The World No.1 was forced to withdraw from the New York Major due to a wrist injury, and then eventual runner-up Ben Shelton ended Alcaraz’s title defense with a thrilling five-set win in the quarterfinals. The US Open was Alcaraz’s first tournament since his four-month injury hiatus. And this is why Zverev, in spite of his two Majors, won’t consider himself the best player in the world.

I don’t know how to answer that. You have to take everything into consideration. With Jannik Sinner being injured, Carlos Alcaraz coming back from injury after four months, right now, this moment, probably yes. Both of them healthy, both of them at the top of their game? Maybe not. But if we say right, right now, with Jannik being injured and Carlos coming back from injury, maybe.

Alexander Zverev said at the press conference

Alcaraz has won two titles from three finals, while Sinner, after completing the Career Golden Masters, won his sixth Big Title of the season at Wimbledon. According to Zverev, if everyone is healthy, the five-time Grand Slam champion should be considered the best player in the world.

Four or five months ago, when both of them were healthy, I wasn’t [the best player in the world]. I was losing to Jannik all the time. If everyone is healthy, I think Jannik is still ahead. It’s as simple as that.

Alexander Zverev added

Zverev trails 4-11 in the head-to-head matchups against Sinner. Against the seven-time Grand Slam champion, the German trails 6-7.

Alexander Zverev calls Trinity Rodman Ben Shelton’s lucky charm

Ben Shelton’s girlfriend Trinity Rodman arrived in New York to watch his final versus Alexander Zverev right after her team Washington Spirit’s 3-0 defeat to Boston Legacy. Both Shelton and Rodman played their respective matches at the same time.

The soccer star, who was wearing a shirt with Shelton’s face on it, showed up when he was losing and was seen in tears during his runner-up speech. Zverev, during his winner’s speech, when he spotted Rodman in Shelton’s box, made a playful remark.

Trinity, I thought you had a game today. You’re the lucky charm… Not today, but usually.

Shelton lost a final for the first time this season after his wins in Dallas, Stuttgart, Munich, and Montreal. In Montreal, he competed as the defending champion and also won his career’s second Big Title. For Zverev, the US Open was his second title of the season in his fourth final.

Apart from the three Majors, he reached the Madrid Open final, losing to Jannik Sinner. Zverev played in the US Open final for the second time in his career, following the 2020 season.

Also read: Alexander Zverev Responds to Hilarious Score Confusion on Match Point After Winning the US Open