"Sinner and Alcaraz are still better than anyone else": Alexander Zverev deserves World Number One spot but with asterisk says Lorenzo Musetti
ATP
Alexander Zverev has finally become World No.1 in a year where the dreams have been made for the German as he is now a multi-time Grand Slam champion and is now World No.1 albeit he has done it in a year where both Carlos Alcaraz and Jannik Sinner have been off for the majority injured or out of form.
Alcaraz is now back and is winning titles, but he hasn't been at his best. While when it comes to Sinner, he will play in the new year again as was confirmed yesterday in his press conference with Darren Cahill but he has not been involved since Wimbledon in July.
Zverev deserves it but with an asterisk - Musetti
Speaking to Bolavip earlier this week, Musetti was asked about Zverev receiving that World Number One spot and said that he deserves it and is happy for him. But there is a caveat.
He said that while he is the most consistent and the one fit enough to get to that spot, he has done so while many of the big names have not been involved which would put an asterisk on it. It is the widely held view that in reality, Sinner and Alcaraz are still the two best when they are on song and going into 2027, it is presumed that both will be back in business.
“I think Sasha deserves the world number one spot, for sure, and I am happy for him that he finally achieved two Grand Slam titles and the number one spot," said Musetti to Bolavip.
“Of course, the injuries to Sinner and Alcaraz have affected the rankings and most of the top players, but the physical aspect is a part of the game and whoever is the most consistent and fit enough to play is the one that can get the number one spot.”
Alexander Zverev is now World No.1.
“But of course, in terms of level I think there is no doubt that if everyone is at their best, Sinner and Alcaraz are still better than anyone else. They are still demonstrating that they are the ones to beat.”
'A part of me is bitter' - Wrong year to be injured for Rune
Holger Rune also spoke about his thoughts surrounding the ascension or coronation to the throne of being World No.1 and said that he is partly bitter in all honesty and this is due to the fact that he has spent a long time chasing the tail of the leading duo only to get injured.
Only this time last year, Rune got injured at the Stockholm Open tearing his achilles and has only recently just returned to full competitive action. He said that for him it's a missed opportunity.
But he did add that while the part bitterness is there, he also realises that he has had poor records over different players and not entirely Alcaraz and Sinner so doesn't merely have a hoodoo against them that could've been snapped had he been 100% while they were injured.
“For sure, a part of me is bitter. 100%. When you look at it, it`s a really tough year to be injured in, because there have been so many opportunities on the Tour with Alcaraz and Sinner being injured.”
“But on the flip side, the matches I have lost haven't really been against Sinner and Alcaraz. Of course, I have lost against them, but it's not these matches that have made the difference in my career.”
“When I played the final against Alcaraz in Barcelona I beat him and it was the same against both Djokovic, and I also beat Sinner in a semifinal, so I can`t really say that it would have changed much. Actually, I prefer that both Sinner and Alcaraz are playing the tournaments I am playing because it gives me a lot of motivation.”
“We also have to say that Zverev 100% has taken advantage of Sinner and Alcaraz being injured. Hats off to Zverev, because he has been incredibly consistent and it`s well deserved that he ends the year as the world number one.”
Samuel GillEditor-in-Chief
Samuel Gill is the Chief Content Officer (CCO) of TennisUpToDate.com, a role he has held since 2020. He is responsible for editorial governance across the platform, including setting content standards, overseeing accuracy and consistency, and guiding long-term editorial strategy. Since joining, he has contributed more than 10,000 articles and editorial pieces across the TennisUpToDate network, playing a central role in the daily operation and development of the site.
Based in Leicester, Samuel has a broad background in tennis media. In his current role, he works closely with editors and writers to ensure coverage meets clear journalistic standards, with particular attention to verification, consistency, and timely updates when new information becomes available.
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