Carlos Alcaraz and Jannik Sinner Warned They ‘Won’t Be Able to Rest Easy Anymore’ After Alexander Zverev’s French Open Win

Carlos Alcaraz did not play in the recently concluded French Open due to a wrist injury, while Jannik Sinner crashed out in the second round with a five-set defeat to Juan Manuel Cerundolo. And Novak Djokovic‘s five-set defeat a day later made Alexander Zverev an overwhelming favorite to win the French Open.

Sascha finally tasted Grand Slam glory when he overcame Flavio Cobolli in five sets after three unsuccessful attempts in the title clashes. Mats Wilander lauded him for the way he handled pressure and expectations after Djokovic and Sinner’s exits.

Many people thought he wouldn’t be able to handle the pressure yet again, especially when he became the favourite following the exits of Sinner and Djokovic. Instead, this time he managed to turn that tension into positive energy; he motivated himself by thinking he finally had the chance of a lifetime, and played better and better as the tournament progressed and he faced tough opponents like [Rafael] Jodar and [Jakub] Mensik.

Mats Wilander told La Gazzetta Dello Sport

Wilander has now warned Sinner and Alcaraz to be wary of Zverev, backing him to join them to form another Big 3.

In my opinion, he’ll play more relaxed; he’s lifted a huge weight off his shoulders. I think that if we were looking for a third contender between Sinner and Alcaraz, we’ve finally found him. Jannik and Carlos won’t be able to rest easy anymore; in my view, Sascha will get very close to their level.

Mats Wilander added

Zverev, the first German since Boris Becker at the 1996 Australian Open to win a Major, lost the three previous Major finals he played at the 2020 US Open (to Dominic Thiem), 2024 French Open (to Alcaraz), and the 2025 Australian Open (to Sinner).

Boris Becker backs Alexander Zverev to become a World No.1 player

Alexander Zverev has now won at least one title in every category (ATP 250, ATP 500, Masters 1000, Grand Slam, and Olympic gold medal). The one milestone that Zverev wants to reach is the No.1 ranking. He achieved his career-best ranking of No.2 for the first time in June 2022. His compatriot Boris Becker has not only backed him to win more Majors but also to reach the top of the rankings table.

My advice to him at 29 is: Win everything you can, because at some point, your time will be up. It doesn’t end after the first Grand Slam title. It’s about new goals he has to set for himself. Will he become a second Dominic Thiem and only win one Grand Slam? He has what it takes for more – even to be number one in the world rankings, because he has been playing consistently well for many months.

Boris Becker told Eurosport

Zverev is in Halle and has already started his campaign on grass. In doubles, he and partner Marcelo Melo defeated Zizou Bergs and Alexander Bublik in the opening round.

The 29-year-old will start his singles campaign against Vit Kopriva. After reaching the French Open final, Stuttgart Open announced that Zverev had pulled out of the tournament (he lost to Taylor Fritz in the final last year). Zverev has so far made three finals on grass but has never lifted a title.

Also, Wimbledon is the only Major where the World No.3 has never progressed to the quarterfinals. He has so far played the fourth round thrice, while last year, he suffered an opening-round exit. The main draw of the grass-court Major is scheduled to start on June 29. World No.1 Jannik Sinner will enter the tournament as the defending champion.

Also read: Grigor Dimitrov Recalls Terrifying Injury He Suffered During Jannik Sinner Wimbledon Clash: “I Thought I had a Heart Problem”