Alexander Zverev opened his 2026 season at the United Cup in Sydney, where he spoke candidly about the gap separating him from Carlos Alcaraz and Jannik Sinner at the top of the men’s game.
The world No. 3 acknowledged the sizable lead held by the Spanish and Italian stars, who finished 2025 as No. 1 and No. 2. Zverev trails them by more than 6,000 ranking points after a season disrupted by injuries.
“Of course, number one and two are quite far ahead, which was not the case at the end of 2024, when I finished number two in the world behind Sinner,” Zverev said during a press conference in Sydney. “I feel like I have a lot of catching up to do, but so does the rest of the tour.”
Zverev, now 28, claimed just one title in 2025 — on home soil in Munich. He reached the Australian Open final, falling to Sinner, but failed to advance deep at the other majors or the ATP Finals.
Physical setbacks plagued him throughout the year, limiting his consistency. He also dealt with mental health challenges, stepping away for a month after a first-round exit at Wimbledon.
“I took some vacation, spent time with my friends, then went back to training. Changed the scenario a little bit,” Zverev explained. “In a way, losing first round Wimbledon — of course I don’t want to lose first round Wimbledon — but in a way it was helpful for me because I could just restart. That was a bit of a turning point.”
Despite the difficulties, Zverev views holding the No. 3 ranking as an achievement. “I had issues with my body, I had injuries throughout the entire season. So for me, finishing three in the world, I feel like looking back at it, it’s still something to be proud of,” he said. “Of course it wasn’t the season that I wanted to have. There weren’t the titles that I wanted to have, the big titles especially.”
As he leads Germany in the mixed-team United Cup, Zverev sees the event as key preparation for the Australian Open, where he aims to finally claim a maiden Grand Slam crown.
He contrasted his approach with that of Alcaraz and Sinner, who opted for a single exhibition match against each other in South Korea ahead of Melbourne.
“Some guys, like Jannik and Carlos, they’re just capable of showing up to the Australian Open, playing great tennis straightaway,” Zverev noted. “I feel like I’m more of a diesel engine sometimes where I need to get going first, then at some point I’ll start playing good tennis. I have to play a preparation tournament.”
Germany opened its United Cup campaign strongly, with Zverev contributing to a clean-sweep victory over the Netherlands. He followed that with a competitive showing against Poland in a rematch of the 2024 final.
Alcaraz and Sinner have dominated recent seasons, splitting the last several majors and establishing themselves as the clear frontrunners. Zverev’s comments highlight the challenge facing not just him, but the entire field in closing that divide.
With the Australian Open approaching, Zverev’s focus remains on building momentum through matches. His experience in team events, including Germany’s 2024 United Cup title, gives him confidence in high-pressure settings.
Fans will watch closely to see if the German can translate his United Cup form into a strong run in Melbourne, where he has come closest to breaking through for a major trophy.
Zverev’s honesty about the rankings gap and his own struggles offers a clear picture of the current men’s tennis hierarchy as the new season unfolds.
