Alexander Zverev has made a bold claim about Jannik Sinner and Carlos Alcaraz’s rivalry, having just lost to the former of that duo in today’s Madrid Open final.
And, given how often he has played these two over the last few years, he is well-placed to offer insight into them both.
Alas, this particular claim made in his post-final press conference is certain to ruffle a few feathers.
After all, he has argued that Jannik Sinner is so far ahead of everybody else in the ATP Tour right now, even Carlos Alcaraz.
Alexander Zverev compares Jannik Sinner to Carlos Alcaraz after the Madrid Open final
However, what was perhaps even more astounding about Alexander Zverev’s claim was the grouping system he established.
The 28-year-old argued that, whilst Sinner was convincingly the best player in the world, there was then a huge gap between him, Alcaraz and Novak Djokovic, grouping himself with the recent Australian Open finalists.
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Zverev’s official statement was: “Well, I think there’s a big gap between Sinner and everybody else right now. It’s quite simple. I think there’s a big gap between Sinner and everybody else. And I think there’s a big gap between Alcaraz, myself, maybe Novak, and everybody else. I think there’s two gaps right now.
“It’s difficult to say that there’s not a gap between Sinner and everybody else if he hasn’t lost a match in how many Masters events? Since Shanghai. He hasn’t lost a match in almost nine months. I think you have to admit that there’s a gap between him and everybody else, yeah.”
Zverev felt the need to apologise after the Madrid Open final due to his underperformance.
Jannik Sinner could be unstoppable without Carlos Alcaraz to challenge him
In 2025, Sinner lost to just three players all season, yet still lost six matches.
The chief reason for that intriguing gulf between those two figures is Alcaraz.
His great rival overcame him on three of the biggest stages in tennis, winning the Italian Open final, US Open final and that incredible, historic Roland Garros final.
When does Jannik Sinner next lose a tennis match? 👀
However, with Alcaraz now confirmed to miss the rest of the clay season through injury, opportunity beckons for the world number one, who will seemingly go unopposed in the coming months.
Given that Zverev is meant to be the world’s third-best player, and he lost so convincingly earlier today, it does not speak volumes for the strength in depth of the ATP Tour.
Sinner could truly be unstoppable now without a proper rival present to challenge him.
