How the 28-Year-Old German Star Can Be the Third Member in Men’s Tennis Big Three in 2026
Alexander Zverev’s Semifinal loss to Italian 16th-ranked Flavio Cobolli today at the Munich Open marks the end of the German’s effort to defend his title, which he won last year on his birthday. This loss also significantly extends the gap of over 7,000 points between him and the top two players, first-ranked Jannik Sinner and second-ranked Carlos Alcaraz, who are both years his junior. Worst still, it doesn’t help that the general talks about his performance consistently failing to properly fulfill his role in the ‘Big Three’, as per his ranking. A contest particularly dear to tennis fans in a slightly earlier era, previously held by retired legends Roger Federer, Rafael Nadal, and current fourth-ranked Novak Djokovic. With the next Grand Slam, Roland Garros, on the horizon, what could the third-ranked state of mind be?
A Tumultuous 13-Year Long Career
Like many top players, the German turned pro at 16 in 2013. He followed in his left-handed older brother, Mischa Zverev's, footsteps. The elder Zverev eventually joined their father, Alexander Zverev Sr., a former player from the Soviet Union, as part of his coaching team. While many scoffed at his arrogant attitude and tantrums on court or modeling pursuits off-court, his results spoke for themselves. Making his top-10 debut in May 2017, he reached third-ranked in November of the same year, and remained in the top five-ranked for years. Towering at six-foot-six, his double-fault rate was the biggest gripe many had for him for years; he actually set records for it. Yet, heavier troubles than just his antics followed him. In May 2020, he faced physical assault allegations from a former partner, which rocked the tennis world, with critics and fans calling for a suspension. This was also during the tense period when the world was on lockdown due to the COVID-19 pandemic, and the Tour was trying to push tournaments through it, assuring all that safety measures could be implemented. For the Adria Tour, pushed by Djokovic in June, when many players tested positive, footage of Zverev partying at a nightclub was widely shared on social media, even though he was supposed to be self-isolating. Plummeting his image further. Then, in October 2020, yet another former partner of the German came forward with several accusations of domestic abuse during their relationship in 2019, inflaming the calls for suspension again. The first accusation was the only one that went to court and was settled monetarily.
Powering through all of that, Zverev’s on-court rages finally caught up to him in 2022. In the Mexico Open in Acapulco, he was defaulted from the tournament after smashing his racquet repeatedly on the umpire’s chair, near the umpire’s foot, after losing a first-round doubles match. The act cost him his singles. On a more positive note, the German launched the Alexander Zverev Foundation in tandem with a personal announcement in August 2022, while recovering from a harrowing injury: that he’d been living and competing with Type 1 Diabetes since the age of four. The revelation put to rest many speculations, as eagle-eyed fans had commented on seeing him with a glucose monitor throughout his career. His intention is for the foundation to be a platform for the condition.
Why Should Zverev Be Part of the ‘Big Three’?
For one, his ranking makes it so, it’s in the name. Another strong reason, through all his struggles, personal, legal, deserved, and undeserved, Zverev has kept a strong presence in the ATP for the entirety of his career. Many agree that he’s the longest overdue for a Grand Slam, and he has come close many times. In June 2022, he suffered a career-ending injury in his right ankle, tearing several ligaments in the second set of the semi-final against the Prince of Clay, Nadal. Coming back from such an injury to still be in the top three, alongside his health revelation, has gained him good graces with some fans again. Even before his injury, the third-ranked player’s record is impressive, a two-time end-of-year title champion in 2018 and 2021. Tokyo 2020/2021 Gold Olympic medalist, an accolade so few get, and 24 total career titles; seven masters among them, and he’s made three Grand Slam Finals. He’s successful in doubles, too, with four titles.
What Can He Do to Achieve ‘Big Three’ Respect?
Truly, just by the trajectory and records of his career alone, it’s almost cruel not to give it to him as it stands. However, men’s tennis is at its most competitive yet and growing, so there’s no slack to be given. Not all of those records are great, either. From 2019 to 2023, at year's end, he held the record for the most double faults in the ATP. Currently, Zverev has achieved the longest consecutive streak in the top 10 for over 385 weeks without having won a Grand Slam. He’s also one of only five players who have seen 500 career wins while still chasing their first Major.
Even in the WTA, the ‘Big Three’ carry their weight evenly, and aside from that, there is healthy competition without them monopolizing it. Wild Cards and other top-ranked players have won Slams over the years, from Marketa Vondrousova to Madison Keys; it’s not just the first two monopolizing it as Sinner and Alcaraz have been. Not for lack of trying, the ATP’s next best chance for a surprise may be close if Zverev fails to step up again for this French Open. Frenchman Arthur Fils has made waves both as a Next Gen and on his entry into the Big Leagues. American Ben Shelton could be promising after a few impressive Slam runs. Daniil Medvedev, 2021 U.S. Open Champion and 2026 Dubai Open Champion, or Djokovic, who sees more injuries daily, are both distant options, but not new ones. Zverev’s time is drawing close, but will he be able to make it finally happen?
