'Top five wouldn't have looked out for No. 25': Alexander Zverev on Alcaraz-Sinner era vs. Big 3 depth

Alexander Zverev explained the difference between the current dominance of Carlos Alcaraz and Jannik Sinner and the years when the Big Three – Roger Federer, Rafael Nadal, and Novak Djokovic – shared dominance of the ATP Tour. The German sees a profound difference in the level of opponents faced by each generation.

According to the World No. 3, the key difference is the level that Sinner and Alcaraz must contend with against players with rankings that, years ago, would not have intimidated top players. “Tennis has changed in the last few years and I’m not saying Alcaraz and Sinner are better or worse than the ‘Big 3’, but they just hit the ball harder and the game has become faster,” stated the 28-year-old German star to Tennis365.

“The big difference now is the depth at the top. We have champions all the way down to No.30 in the rankings and that wasn’t the case when I started,” the three-time Grand Slam runner-up said. “The top five in the world would not have really looked out for the guy who was No.25 and think he would be a problem when I started, but this has changed.

“Clearly, Carlos and Jannik are ahead of everyone at the top now, but the depth we have in the men’s game is different compared to when Roger, Rafa and Novak were dominating.”

Sinner and Alcaraz have already shared the last six Grand Slams played – a number that will increase to seven this Sunday when they face each other for the second consecutive time in a major final. However, Zverev remains convinced that he can overcome them in the future and achieve his coveted major title. “I don’t care where I win a Grand Slam at this stage, but I do believe it will happen,” he added. “Maybe some people don’t expect me to do well at Wimbledon and my record there isn’t great, but I know my level is there to win a Grand Slam.

“Clearly, in recent months, I have not played my best tennis and that is what I need to work on now. It’s a lot about confidence and belief and if I get that right, then I will always have a chance.”

Alcaraz and Sinner will face each other this Sunday afternoon for the Wimbledon title, in what will be the 7th consecutive time that one of the two will be a major champion.