Alexander Zverev has been told he isn’t the ‘third guy’ in the world of tennis behind Jannik Sinner and Carlos Alcaraz. The dominant duo have swept all before them in recent years, with just one player not named Alcaraz or Sinner having won a men’s Grand Slam title since the start of 2024.
The man in question is, of course, Zverev, who overcame his Grand Slam demons to take the French Open crown earlier this year. However, despite finally entering the Grand Slam winners’ circle, the German has been told that he won’t be considered as the closest competitor to Sinner and Alcaraz long-term.
Stubbs names potential rivals
That is according to Serena Williams’ coach, Rennae Stubbs, who named the players she thinks have a better chance of competing with the top two in the world. On her self-titled podcast, Stubbs remarked: “Winning in Canada and then going to Cincinnati and winning those tournaments because neither of them [Alcaraz and Sinner] are going to be there again…
“Imagine if a Learner Tien or a Rafael Jodar steps up and wins this Masters 1000; it has to give them so much confidence to go into a US Open and say, ‘Why not?’ There is a possibility Alcaraz and Sinner are going to be there.
“But it really helps when you are winning a lot of matches and you are beating all these great players and the only ones you are not beating are those two who are not there but it will certainly help you going into matches like this against those great players and think, ‘Maybe it’s my time as well’.”
Zverev's poor form and schedule concerns
Stubbs’ opinion is likely informed by the fact Zverev had a Canadian Open to forget, with the No.1 seed having been dumped out by Tallon Griekspoor in the opening round. With the Cincinnati Open just around the corner, the 29-year-old was the latest to suggest tennis’ decision makers had to alter the current schedule.
He said in his pre-tournament press conference: “I think that’s what two-week events do, unfortunately, especially if there is a Slam coming after that. If you play everything and you’re a top player, you spend seven weeks here in North America. That is quite a long time, and I think that’s why a lot of top players, they choose not to play Canada for multiple years now. That’s unfortunately the sad reality of it.”
Before adding: “[Make it] how it always was. Quite simple. Make us be here for two weeks, not seven. For the Masters, it’s two weeks for both of them, and I think that’s an easy fix, regarding top players playing.”
