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Not so fast — Patrick Mouratoglou explains why Jannik Sinner trails Carlos Alcaraz
TL;DR
Alexander Zverev claims a significant gap exists between Jannik Sinner and the top players, including Carlos Alcaraz and Novak Djokovic. His comments have sparked discussion in the tennis community regarding the current rankings.
Key points
- Alexander Zverev comments on Jannik Sinner's ranking
- Zverev notes a gap between Sinner and top players
- He compares himself to Alcaraz and Djokovic
Photo by Julian Finney/Getty Images
Alexander Zverev’s recent comments about Jannik Sinner and Carlos Alcaraz have raised a few eyebrows in the tennis world.
The German suggested there’s a clear gap between Sinner and the rest of the top four, but then added that there’s another gap between himself, Alcaraz, and Novak Djokovic compared to the rest of the tour.
He seemed to be putting himself on par with Alcaraz and Djokovic, even though he hasn’t won a Grand Slam title yet.
Reacting to those comments, Serena Williams’ former coach Patrick Mouratoglou made it clear that he sees Sinner and Alcaraz as being in a league of their own right now.
Photo by Clive Brunskill/Getty Images
Patrick Mouratoglou reacts to Alexander Zverev’s remarks
“Alcaraz, Sinner, Djokovic, Zverev and the rest of the world,” Mouratoglou posted on Instagram. “After the Australian Open, everybody was saying ‘okay Alcaraz is above Jannik.’ And now everybody says ‘Sinner is above Alcaraz.’ No, they are at the same level. I know in tennis, things change very fast.
“Now, of course, in terms of points, Zverev is closer to Sinner because Alcaraz is injured, he is not playing. But the situation doesn’t change.
“He’s just injured at the moment. But there are still two guys that are above the rest of the pack.
“Is Zverev better than most of the players? Yes, of course! But he puts himself in the same group as Alcaraz. No. You cannot do that. The gap between Zverev and Novak and Alcaraz and Sinner is big.”
How Zverev has fared so far this season
Zverev has put together a strong campaign so far, especially in the Masters 1000 events.
The 29-year-old reached the semifinals at every major tournament in 2026, starting with the Australian Open, where he pushed Alcaraz to the brink before falling short.
After an early exit in Acapulco, Zverev made three straight semifinals in Indian Wells, Miami, and Monte Carlo but lost to Sinner each time.
He also reached the semifinals in Munich before making his first final of the season at the Madrid Open. However, Sinner once again proved too strong. Zverev’s last title came at the Munich Open in 2025, and his most recent Masters crown was captured in Paris during the 2024 season.
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Q&A
What did Alexander Zverev say about Jannik Sinner and Carlos Alcaraz?
Alexander Zverev suggested there is a noticeable gap between Jannik Sinner and the top players, including Carlos Alcaraz and Novak Djokovic.
Why are Zverev's comments about Sinner and Alcaraz controversial?
Zverev's comments are controversial because they imply a hierarchy among top players, despite his own lack of a Grand Slam title.
How do Zverev's views affect perceptions of Jannik Sinner's ranking?
Zverev's views contribute to the perception that Sinner is not yet on the same level as Alcaraz and Djokovic, potentially impacting Sinner's reputation in the tennis world.
