Alexander Zverev has been under intense scrutiny since securing the World No. 1 ranking, with questions being raised over its legitimacy. Ahead of his Paris Masters campaign, a French journalist has taken the achievement apart in a blunt assessment.
The 29-year-old secured the top spot when the rankings updated on Monday, becoming the 30th man to hold it and the oldest first-time No. 1 in over 50 years. He won his first Grand Slam title at Roland Garros in June, then his second at the US Open in September.
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Frédéric Verdier, a journalist and commentator for Eurosport France, did not dispute that Zverev had earned the position. However, speaking on air during the Paris Masters, on the day the No. 1 trophy was handed over, Verdier called attention to the German’s 3-9 win/loss record against other top 10 players.
“He deserves that spot, but it’s practically unheard of for a world No. 1 to beat just three Top 10 players in a season. I said three matches! No world No. 1 has ever had to beat such a tiny number of Top 10s. It was really a peculiar season, a baffling one,” Verdier said.
Verdier pointed out that both Carlos Alcaraz and Jannik Sinner were forced to spend months on the sidelines due to injuries and argued that Novak Djokovic also proved that he is still “better” than Zverev after claiming a 4-6, 6-4, 6-4 victory in their China Open clash in October.
“The two best players, Sinner and Alcaraz, were sidelined one after the other due to injuries. Novak Djokovic remains this kind of immense sacred ectoplasm, who, on a good day, like he proved in Beijing against Zverev, is better than this particular world No. 1,” he continued.
Although Verdier acknowledged Alexander Zverev’s impressive endurance, he opined that the two-time Grand Slam champion’s matches were typically “tedious” to watch and highlighted his recent loss to Alex de Minaur in the Vienna Open semifinals.
“It’s special to see a player who gets crowned, through sheer endurance, for the body of his work, but who, on the court, brings nothing extra and delivers no emotion, very little thrill. His matches are generally tedious. Except when he faces stiff competition. And unfortunately, when that’s the case (I’m talking Top 10 players, even guys like De Minaur in Vienna), it usually doesn’t go well for him at all,” he said.
Alexander Zverev responds to criticism surrounding his World No. 1 rise
Alexander Zverev has already addressed the criticism surrounding his World No. 1 ranking during a press conference at the Vienna Open. Pushing back against the claims that he only clinched the top spot due to Carlos Alcaraz and Jannik Sinner’s injuries, the German argued that maintaining fitness was a key aspect of the sport.
“Many people can say that I only became No. 1 because of Sinner and Alcaraz’s injuries, but physical fitness and health are an integral part of the sport. When Jannik was healthy, he was the best player in the world, there’s no doubt about that. I’d be an idiot to claim that I was as good as him at that time,” Alexander Zverev said.
Zverev also made the case for why he had the best overall season, despite losing all five matches he played against Sinner in 2026.
“But I think I’ve had the best season, even if I didn’t beat him. I was the second best player because Carlos was injured and he was not able to compete. When I look at my off-season preparation in December, I do about 5 to 6 hours of physical training per day, compared to 1 hour 30 of tennis. That’s precisely to stay healthy and avoid injuries,” he added.
Alexander Zverev is now chasing a second title at the Paris Masters after his 2024 triumph, kicking off his campaign against Lorenzo Musetti after a first-round bye. Whatever happens this week in the French capital, the 29-year-old is assured of finishing the year at No. 1.
Edited by Urvi Mehra
