Alexander Zverev Calls Jannik Sinner ‘Best Player in the World’ After Defeat in Vienna Open Final
Jannik Sinner has improved his head-to-head record over Alexander Zverev to 4-4 after the Vienna Open final.
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Jannik Sinner, Alexander Zverev (Image via X/Jannik Sinner HQ)
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Alexander Zverev came close to ending his title drought, but up against him, in the Vienna Open, was none other than first seed Jannik Sinner. And although Sascha was successful in taking the first set off, Sinner upped his level and eventually wrapped up the ATP 500 event in his favor, winning it for the second time after the 2023 season.
The win helped Sinner tie the head-to-head record to 4-4 against the German. It was also his third consecutive win over Zverev. Before the Vienna Open, they met in the final of the Australian Open, where the four-time Grand Slam champion easily ended it in his favor, defending his title.
I’d like to congratulate Jannik, who has reached an exceptional level over the past two years. For me, you are currently the best player in the world. What an incredible year! Four Grand Slam finals and two Grand Slam titles.
Alexander Zverev said during the runner-up speech
It was Sinner’s fourth title of the season from eight finals, after his wins at the Australian Open, Wimbledon, and the China Open. For Zverev, it was his fourth final of the season following the Australian Open, BMW Open, and the Stuttgart Open. The three-time Grand Slam runner-up clinched only the Munich Open.
This week, you were simply the best player here in Vienna. To your team, congratulations, of course. The past two years have been incredible. You continue to improve. I know Jannik has a lot to do with that, but you have also contributed greatly. The progress you have made is impressive.
Alexander Zverev added
Both Sinner and Zverev’s next destination is Paris for the last Masters 1000 of the season. Zverev is the defending champion (beat Ugo Humbert last year), while Sinner has never reached the fourth round and skipped the tournament last year.
Mark Philippoussis on Jannik Sinner and Carlos Alcaraz’s dominance
Two-time Grand Slam finalist Mark Philippoussis, during a podcast on the Australian Open TV, was asked whether he still enjoys watching tennis. The 48-year-old answered in the affirmative and talked about the two men who are dominating on the ATP Tour, Carlos Alcaraz and Jannik Sinner.
I very much do. You have Sinner and Alcaraz, and every time those two are playing against each other, I feel like they are incredible ambassadors for the sport. We are lucky to have them, as I think we got a little worried when Rafa [Nadal] and [Roger] Federer (retired) and [Novak] Djokovic, hopefully we have got him for another year, but to have two figures like that in incredible roles for the game of tennis is amazing.
Since 2024, Sinner and Alcaraz have featured in 32 finals, winning 24 titles, sharing the eight Grand Slam titles between them. This season, Alcaraz has clinched the most titles (eight from 10 finals), while Sinner has won four from eight finals. The four defeats that he suffered were at the hands of the six-time Grand Slam champion.
Alcaraz did not play in any ATP 500 event last week. Because of Sinner’s Vienna Open win, he is only 840 points behind the World No.1. If Sinner clinches the Paris Masters and Alcaraz fails to reach the final, he will reclaim his No.1 spot.
But Sinner will once again reach No.2 on the live rankings when the ATP Finals start, as the Italian will play the year-end championships as the defending champion (defeated Taylor Fritz last year). So far this year, Sinner has failed to defend six titles, including the US Open. Before Vienna, Sinner defended his Six Kings Slam title by breezing past Alcaraz.
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