Zverev: 'If I continue like this, I can reach Sinner and Alcaraz's level'
Translated from Spanish, summarized and contextualized by DistantNews.
At a glance
- Alexander Zverev believes his recent performances, including reaching the Wimbledon final, show he can compete at the level of Jannik Sinner and Carlos Alcaraz.
- Zverev noted his progress this year, pushing both Alcaraz and Sinner to their limits in recent Grand Slam matches.
- He aims to continue improving his aggressive style and groundstrokes to challenge for more major titles.
Alexander Zverev feels his current trajectory in men's tennis places him on par with top players Jannik Sinner and Carlos Alcaraz. The German, who recently reached his first Wimbledon final, believes his game has evolved significantly this year, allowing him to challenge the circuit's dominant figures.
I hope so. This year I have progressed and I have pushed them. I haven't beaten them, but I have taken them to the limit.
"I hope so. This year I have progressed and I have pushed them. I haven't beaten them, but I have taken them to the limit," Zverev stated, referencing close matches against Alcaraz at the Australian Open and Sinner at Wimbledon. He acknowledged that while he hasn't secured victories against them recently, the narrow margins indicate his potential to compete for and win major tournaments alongside them.
To Alcaraz in Australia and Jannik here, although it was four sets, they were very close and could have been five. That is the objective.
Zverev highlighted his improved aggressive play and groundstrokes as key factors in his recent success. He admitted that adapting to this style at the beginning of the year was challenging, but the results, including his maiden Grand Slam title at Roland Garros and the Wimbledon final, demonstrate that his approach is working. He is determined to maintain this path and continue closing the gap with Sinner, whom he still considers the world's best.
I know there has been talk about a third player for another 'big three'. In the last two years I have always been the third player but far from these two. I have always been the third. So if I get closer to them I can be with them competing and winning big tournaments together with them.
Despite a mid-match slip during the Wimbledon final that affected his serve, Zverev downplayed its significance, noting that other aspects of his game remained strong. He felt his level was comparable to Sinner's for much of the match, particularly in the first two sets, though a missed forehand in the second-set tiebreak proved costly. Zverev is focused on further refinement, aiming to consistently challenge for Grand Slam titles.
Keep working and along this path. Basically do the same as now.
Originally published by ABC Color in Spanish. Translated, summarized, and contextualized by our editorial team with added local perspective. Read our editorial standards.