Zverev: 'The rankings don't lie'

Alexander Zverev

Zverev: 'The rankings don't lie'

World No. 2 is defending champion in Rome this week

Dan Istitene/Getty Images Alexander Zverev is the defending champion at the Internazionali BNL d'Italia. By Jerome Coombe

Alexander Zverev’s season has been a mix of highs, lows and setbacks, but that won’t stop him losing sight of his goals.

While the No. 2 in the PIF ATP Rankings has already scaled impressive heights in the sport, the hunger to reach the pinnacle burns brighter than ever. Zverev, who is defending champion at the Internazionali BNL d’Italia in Rome this week, was asked about his ongoing quest to reach World No. 1.

“World No. 1? It would be nice, I have not been there. I believe I will, so we'll see how it goes,” Zverev said during Monday’s press conference in Rome. “I'm there [No. 2] because I won tournaments. I'm there because I have results. The ranking system doesn't lie. You get points for winning matches, you get points for winning titles.”

Zverev has had the opportunity to surpass Jannik Sinner atop the rankings in 2025, while the Italian was completing a three-month period of ineligibility in a case resolution agreement with WADA. Yet, after reaching his third major final at the Australian Open, Zverev suffered a string of early exits before arriving in Munich.

The German admits that he felt the effects of a gruelling fortnight at the Australian Open, but bounced back with his first title of the season on home soil.

“I know I didn't play up to my standard,” Zverev said of his 6-6 record between the Australian Open and Munich, according to the Infosys ATP Win/Loss Index. “I know I didn't play up to what I wanted to do. But neither did Carlos [Alcaraz], then he won Monte-Carlo.

“Do you think Novak [Djokovic] is happy with his results? Do you think Carlos is happy with his results? I'm not happy with my results. At the end of the day in big matches, big moments, I still believe the top players will rise, and I still believe that I am going to find my tennis for the biggest tournaments.”

Having won seven of his previous eight matches, Zverev appears to have found his form just at the right time ahead of the ATP Masters 1000 in Rome. Two of his 24 tour-level titles have come in the Italian capital (also 2017), but he will begin his title defence as No. 3 in the PIF ATP Live Rankings, having dropped 1,000 points and in need of a strong week to maintain rhythm in the chase for World No. 1.

Zverev’s run ended in the Madrid fourth round last week, when fell to his third consecutive defeat to Francisco Cerundolo. While the result may sting, the German was jovial when discussing it on Monday.

“I hate playing him, to be honest,” Zverev said with a smile. “I think outside of the top guys, like Jannik and Carlos, he's probably the most difficult for me to play. But all in all I thought my level of tennis was okay [in Madrid]. I thought I played three pretty good matches there. Also winning Munich the week before... I feel like my tennis is at the right spot right now."

Zverev will begin his campaign in Rome against Camilo Ugo Carabelli or a qualifier/lucky loser. He is seeded to face Alcaraz in a blockbuster semi-final clash.

“I feel confident here," Zverev added. "I really like the place, so I hope I can play as well as last year and win a lot of matches.”

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