Carlos Alcaraz Calls Alexander Zverev ‘Best Player in the World’ After Sascha’s Two Grand Slam Wins

Carlos Alcaraz did not play in London during the summer because he was on the sidelines recovering from a wrist injury. But he has already arrived in the UK capital and is gearing up for the Laver Cup, which is set to start on September 25.

He will play alongside Team Europe players Alexander Zverev, Flavio Cobolli, Rafael Jodar, Jakub Mensik, Casper Ruud, and Arthur Fery. A clip of Alcaraz’s conversation with Zverev about the US Open has already gone viral.

Alcaraz asked Zverev what he was thinking when he was on match point at 5-4 during the US Open final against Ben Shelton. Sascha said he was thinking nothing at the moment, as he had no idea he had won match point, joking that, “When you’re stupid, it helps.“

It was Zverev’s second Grand Slam title of his career following the French Open, where he defeated Cobolli in a five-set thriller, finally getting the monkey off his back after three unsuccessful results in Major finals. After Paris, Zverev reached the Wimbledon final, but lost to defending champion Jannik Sinner.

Zverev would have reached the Australian Open final as well had eventual champion Alcaraz not beaten him in five sets in the semifinal. In spite of his Grand Slam results, the German was not ready to call himself the best player as he did not face either Sinner or Alcaraz en route to his two final wins. But Alcaraz is not of the same opinion.

He probably is the best player in the world right now. So, having him on our team, it’s going to be a great weapon that we’re going to use in the weekend. Hopefully we’re going to get great points. I’m going to try to cheer him on as much as I can. I missed lifting the trophy last year, so I’m going to do whatever to do it this year. I’m feeling great, practicing well, US Open was a great test for me, so I can’t wait to play here.

Carlos Alcaraz told Stan Sport

Alcaraz asegura que se siente "genial" y cree que Zverev es "el mejor jugador de mundo ahora mismo"

"Estoy de acuerdo con él. Será un gran arma en nuestro equipo. Voy a intentar apoyarle todo lo que pueda"#LaverCup pic.twitter.com/dtLSVbugPM

— Eurosport.es (@Eurosport_ES) September 22, 2026

Alcaraz did not play in Paris and Wimbledon due to the injury. Sinner lost in the second round at Roland Garros due to a physical collapse. After his successful Wimbledon run, he withdrew from the US Open because of a knee injury. Alcaraz returned to the tour in New York as a defending champion but lost to Shelton in the quarterfinals.

Steve Johnson on who Carlos Alcaraz’s former coach Juan Carlos Ferrero will coach next

Juan Carlos Ferrero recently revealed that he will be back on the tour next year as a coach, but did not reveal whom he will coach next. Many are convinced that Carlos Alcaraz‘s arch-rival Jannik Sinner certainly wouldn’t be working with him. Former ATP player Steve Johnson believes Felix Auger-Aliassime or Rafael Jodar could be the players who would be working with the 2003 French Open champion.

I’m thinking maybe Felix Auger-Aliassime. Could it be Felix? Yes, he’s trying to get over the hump… I think it’s either Jodar or Felix. I’ll take Felix.

Steve Johnson said on the Nothing Major Show podcast

Auger-Aliassime parted ways with his long-time coach, Frederic Fontang, in July this year. Jodar is coached by his father as well as his assistant coach Brian Rasmussen.

Alcaraz parted ways with Ferrero last December due to failed contract negotiations. Samuel Lopez is currently coaching the seven-time Grand Slam champion, also guiding him to his first Australian Open win.

Alcaraz, following the Laver Cup, will compete at the Japan Open, where he defeated Taylor Fritz in the final last year. He will be chasing his third title of the season in Tokyo.

Also read: Alexander Zverev and Carlos Alcaraz’s Hilarious Conversation About US Open Win Goes Viral: “When You’re Stupid, It Helps”