By Richard Pagliaro | @Tennis_now | Wednesday, May 7, 2025
Photo Credit: Corleve/Mark Peterson
Alexander Zverev No identity a crisis before defending his title in Rome is suffering.
World no. 2 Zverev says you are exactly what your rank says. Although he fought during Janik Sinner’s three-month suspension that opened the door for German to make a move to the top.
Sinner threw Zverev into straight groups in the Australian Open final in January. Aside the sinners who served his three-month suspension, Zverev did not catch exactly the moment.
Instead, the 2024 competitor Roland Garros failed to reach the semifinals in six of his last eight events after Melbourne’s disappointing final. Zverev said he has read the media and criticism of the fan and sees it funny some were calling it “the worst world No. 2 sometimes”.
“I think the media also likes to put the players down, right?” Zverev told the media in Rome. “I had a evil two months ago (winner) Munich, right? I didn’t play excellent tennis before Munich. Suddenly I’m like the worst world No. 2 in the world never. I don’t deserve to be there.
“Like I am there because I have won tournaments. I am there because I have results.
“The ranking system doesn’t lie. You get points to win matches, you get points to win titles. Yes, I know I didn’t play with my standard. I know I didn’t play up to what I wanted to do. But not even Carlos. He won Monte-Carlo.”
However, Zverev can feel the pressure this month by defending 1,000 points of ranking in Rome with world no.3 Carlos Alcaraz, his invader in the 2024 final Roland Garros, following Germany with only 235 points.
“Do you think Novak is happy with his results? Do you think Carlos is happy with his results?” Said Zverev. “I’m not happy with my results. At the end of the day in big matches, big moments, I still believe the best players will grow.
“And I still believe that I will find my tennis for the biggest tours.”
Rome’s six-time champion Novak Djokovic leaves Zverev’s twice champion and 2023 winner Danil Medvedev’s only former champion in the Rome men.
Double Zverev opens his defense in Rome against Argentine Camilo Ugo Carabelli.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=V1Tvemhrxbq
Although he failed to rise during the absence of the sinner this season, Zverev believes he will take the first place eventually.
“World No. 1? It would be fine,” Zverev said. “I don’t know. I haven’t been there. I believe I’ll do it. So we’ll see how you go.”
