Zverev Prefers Alcaraz Matchup, Calls Sinner World’s Best Ahead of ATP Finals
Alexander Zverev stated he would rather face Carlos Alcaraz than Jannik Sinner at the ATP Finals in Turin, while simultaneously acknowledging Sinner as the current top player in the world.
The declaration came during a pre-tournament press conference today, November 8, 2025, as Zverev and Sinner are drawn into the same ‘Bjorn Borg Group’ for the prestigious year-end championships. Zverev, a two-time ATP Finals champion, trails Sinner 4-5 in their head-to-head record after recent losses in Vienna and Paris. “Carlos!” Zverev said when asked his preference. “It doesn’t matter, to be honest… but for me, on this particular surface and indoors on a faster hard court, I feel like this court is much faster than Paris. I think Jannik [Sinner] is the best player in the world, and I think if you ask Carlos [Alcaraz], Carlos would probably agree.”
Despite his assessment of Sinner’s current form, Zverev highlighted his past success against Alcaraz, having defeated the Spaniard in the round-robin stage of both the 2023 and 2024 ATP Finals. A strong showing at the ATP Finals is crucial for players aiming to finish the year ranked number one; currently, the ATP rankings have Sinner holding the top spot. Ben Shelton, also in the ‘Bjorn Borg Group’, expressed a desire to play in front of the Italian crowd, hoping to experience the energy of the local fans.
Zverev and Alcaraz have a closely contested 6-6 head-to-head record, adding another layer of intrigue to the potential matchups. The ATP Finals begin on Sunday, November 9, with Zverev’s first match against Shelton and Alcaraz facing Alex de Minaur on Saturday. Tournament officials anticipate a highly competitive event with significant implications for year-end rankings and momentum heading into the 2026 season.
