Jannik Sinner deserves to be called the world’s best tennis player right now – at least according to Alexander Zverev, who’s got a pretty interesting take on the sport’s current pecking order.
Zverev, who finished 2024 as world No. 2, isn’t shy about admitting both Sinner and Carlos Alcaraz are playing better tennis than him these days. And he’s got some good reasons why.
It’s been quite a year for the young guns of tennis. Alcaraz grabbed two more Grand Slams – the French Open and Wimbledon – bringing his total to four. He even beat Zverev himself in an epic five-set battle at Roland-Garros.
| Name | Age | Points | Stats 2024 |
|---|---|---|---|
| de Alexander Zverev | 27 | 6,885 | 34 - 10 |
But here’s where it gets interesting: despite winning at Indian Wells and having what most would call an amazing year, Alcaraz actually called 2024 “challenging.” That comment left former US Open champs Sloane Stephens and Frances Tiafoe completely stunned.
Meanwhile, Sinner’s been absolutely crushing it.
The Italian star finished 2024 as world No. 1 after winning his first two Grand Slams – the Australian and US Opens. That five-set thriller against Daniil Medvedev in Melbourne? Pure magic.
But that’s not all. Sinner also:
– Won the ATP Finals in Turin
– Led Italy to back-to-back Davis Cup victories
– Grabbed three Masters 1000 titles (Miami, Cincinnati, and Shanghai)
There’s just one catch – he’s had a tough time beating Alcaraz. The young Spaniard got the better of him at Indian Wells, the French Open, and in a brutal Beijing final.
Zverev’s got a unique perspective on Sinner, having known him since he was just a teenager. “I’ve known him since he was 16 or 17, training near Monte Carlo,” Zverev explains. “He absolutely deserves to be number one in the world. He’s won the most titles.”
But don’t think there’s any bad blood with Alcaraz. Zverev actually loves playing against the young Spanish star.
“Carlos is someone I really get on well with,” Zverev says. “Every time we play, it’s been a very high level with a lot of entertainment. It’s just fun to be on the court with him.”
It’s worth noting that Sinner did finally beat Alcaraz in the Six Kings Slam exhibition – and walked away with the biggest paycheck in tennis history: a cool $6 million. Though that win doesn’t count in their official head-to-head record, it sure must have felt good.
