“The ranking system doesn’t lie,” Alexander Zverev fires back at critics calling him the ‘worst World No.2 ever’

Alexander Zverev regained the World No.2 ranking from Carlos Alcaraz after winning the Munich Open last month.

“The ranking system doesn’t lie,” Alexander Zverev fires back at critics calling him the ‘worst World No.2 ever’

Alexander Zverev (via X)

Alexander Zverev has defended his position as world number two, saying, “The rankings don’t lie.” He has won only one title this year, which came in Munich. Earlier in 2025, he also reached the final of the Australian Open.

In that Melbourne final, Zverev was beaten easily by Jannik Sinner. The German is still chasing his first Grand Slam title. Despite Sinner serving a three-month doping ban, Zverev was not able to take the top ranking.

World No. 1? It would be nice. I don’t know. I have not been there. I believe I will. So we’ll see how it goes. I do think the media also loves to put players down, right? I had a bad two months before Munich, right? I didn’t play great tennis before Munich. All of a sudden I’m like the worst world No. 2 in the world ever. I don’t deserve to be there. Like I’m there because I won tournaments. I’m there because I have results. The ranking system doesn’t lie. You get points for winning matches, you get points for winning titles. Yes, I know I didn’t play up to my standard. I know I didn’t play up to what I wanted to do. But neither did Carlos. Then he won Monte-Carlo.

Alexander Zverev said in his pre-tournament press conference at the Italian Open

Sinner has now returned to play at the Italian Open. Zverev spoke up to support his ranking, saying that his results this year prove he deserves the number two spot.

There are periods in a player’s career… Do you think Novak is happy with his results? Do you think Carlos is happy with his results? I’m not happy with my results. At the end of the day in big matches, big moments, I still believe the top players will rise. And I still believe that I am going to find my tennis for the biggest tournaments.

Alexander Zverev added

Novak Djokovic will not be playing in Rome, as he pulled out after an early loss in Madrid. The Italian Open is the final big event before the French Open, which begins on May 25.

Alexander Zverev involved in a battle for World No.2 at Rome

The Italian Open men’s singles is starting on Wednesday. Top players will compete in this key event before Roland Garros. Jannik Sinner’s return is getting a lot of attention, but the rankings battle between Alexander Zverev and Carlos Alcaraz is also a major focus.

Alexander Zverev
Alexander Zverev (via X)

Alcaraz had briefly moved up to world No 2 in April after winning in Monte Carlo. But he lost in the Barcelona final, while Zverev won the Munich Open. That helped Zverev take back the No 2 spot just a week later.

Zverev entered Madrid with only a small lead of 35 points. He didn’t gain more points there, exiting in the fourth round just like in 2024. Alcaraz, who missed the tournament due to injury, dropped 200 points and fell further behind.

Alcaraz now has 7,850 points and doesn’t need to defend any points in Rome, so any win adds to his total. Zverev, on the other hand, has 1,000 points to defend as last year’s champion. He is already dropping to 7,095 in the live rankings, which could help Alcaraz move ahead.

The status of Alexander Zverev in the Race to Turin

German tennis star Alexander Zverev has slipped in the ATP Finals Race despite winning the Munich Open last month. His early exit in the fourth round of the Madrid Open cost him valuable points. He now sits just behind Jack Draper, who moved into second place in the Race standings.

Alexander Zverev
Alexander Zverev (Image via X/The Tennis Letter)

Draper earned 650 points by reaching the Madrid final and now trails leader Carlos Alcaraz by just 450 points. The British player also won the Indian Wells Masters earlier this season, giving him a strong boost in the rankings.

Alcaraz, despite missing Madrid due to injury, remains at the top of the standings with 2,750 points. His strong performances earlier in the year include wins in Monte Carlo and Rotterdam, and a runner-up finish in Barcelona.

Jannik Sinner, who has not played since winning the Australian Open in January, has dropped to fourth. The world No.1 is returning to action in Rome after serving a three-month suspension for failed doping tests.

Also Read: What is the prize money for the 2025 Italian Open?