Zverev: Worst World No. 2 Ever

By Richard Pagliaro | @Tennis_Now | Wednesday, Could 7, 2025
Picture credit score: Corleve/Mark Peterson

Alexander Zverev is not struggling identification disaster forward of his Rome title protection.

World No. 2 Zverev says you might be precisely what your rating states. Though he struggled throughout World No. 1 Jannik Sinner’s three-month suspension that opened the door for the German to make a transfer towards the highest.

Sinner thrashed Zverev in straight units within the Australian Open remaining in January. With Sinner sidelined serving his three-month suspension, Zverev did not precisely seize the second.

As an alternative, the 2024 Roland Garros runner-up failed to succeed in semifinals in six of his final eight occasions after that disappointing Melbourne remaining. Zverev mentioned he is learn the media and fan criticism and finds it humorous some have been branding him the “worst World No. 2 ever.”

“I do assume the media additionally likes to put gamers down, proper?” Zverev instructed the media in Rome. “I had a foul two months earlier than [winning] Munich, proper? I did not play nice tennis earlier than Munich. Unexpectedly I am just like the worst world No. 2 on this planet ever. I do not should be there.

“Like I am there as a result of I received tournaments. I am there as a result of I’ve outcomes.

“The rating system would not lie. You get factors for successful matches, you get factors for successful titles. Sure, I do know I did not play as much as my customary. I do know I did not play as much as what I needed to do. However neither did Carlos. Then he received Monte-Carlo.”

Nonetheless, Zverev might really feel the stress this month defending 1,000 rating factors in Rome with world No. 3 Carlos Alcaraz, his conqueror within the 2024 Roland Garros remaining, trailing the German by solely 235 rating factors.

“Do you assume Novak is blissful along with his outcomes? Do you assume Carlos is blissful along with his outcomes?” Zverev mentioned. “I am not proud of my outcomes. On the finish of the day in large matches, large moments, I nonetheless imagine the highest gamers will rise.

“And I nonetheless imagine that I’m going to search out my tennis for the most important tournaments.”

Six-time Rome champion Novak Djokovic’s withdrawal leaves two-time champion Zverev and 2023 winner Daniil Medvedev the one former champions within the Rome males’s subject. 

The second-seeded Zverev opens his Rome protection towards Argentinean Camilo Ugo Carabelli.  

Although he didn’t stand up throughout Sinner’s absence this season, Zverev believes he’ll take excessive spot ultimately.

“World No. 1? It might be good,” Zverev mentioned. “I do not know. I’ve not been there. I imagine I’ll. So we’ll see the way it goes.”