Alexander Zverev, since winning Roland Garros, has cemented his spot on a rather prestigious list.
After all, he is now no longer burdened by the desperation to claim a maiden major title, and can no longer be described as the greatest player to have never won one.
Instead, with the résumé he boasted before his triumph in Paris, it’s arguable that the German must be recognised as a Hall of Fame player.
However, for whatever reason, Toni Nadal has been comparing him to Stan Wawrinka.
Toni Nadal claims Alexander Zverev is better than Stan Wawrinka
The legendary tennis coach began by praising Alexander Zverev after his title, stating: “For many years, Zverev had an obsession with winning a Grand Slam. That’s very straining.
“He is someone who loves tennis. This victory will bring Sinner and Alcaraz closer, and will allow him to play much more aggressively.”
How many more Grand Slams does Alexander Zverev win now?
What a final!
Toni Nadal actually worked with Zverev briefly last year, and revealed one piece of advice he offered: “I told him that he had to change his character, that he didn’t have to be so negative… and that it wasn’t a matter of coach, to give his father the opportunity to win a Slam with him.”
Finally, the Spaniard added: “For me, Zverev is a better player than Wawrinka.”
Alexander Zverev’s career achievements compared to Stan Wawrinka
This is an intriguing debate that Nadal poses, but one that should get swiftly shut down when comparing Grand Slam titles.
After all, Wawrinka currently boasts three, having beaten some of the sport’s greatest-ever players to get those illustrious trophies.
Zverev, meanwhile, has only just won his first, and massively benefited from the absence of Carlos Alcaraz and the early exits to Novak Djokovic and Jannik Sinner.
Stan Wawrinka or Andy Murray… who is the greater player? Let us know why below 👇
That being said, the 29-year-old does outmatch the Swiss superstar in every other category, having won more ATP titles (25 v 16), more Masters 1000 events (7 v 1), more ATP Finals (2 v 0) and an Olympic gold medal in singles.
Perhaps Nadal was onto something.
