Alexander Zverev has come under criticism from Tracy Austin over his controversial player rankings involving Carlos Alcaraz. Austin admitted she was shocked by the German’s assessment.
Zverev, who is currently competing at the Italian Open, recently finished runner-up at the Madrid Open, where he lost to Jannik Sinner. Following that defeat, he stated in a press conference that Sinner is operating in a league of his own, placing himself alongside Alcaraz and Novak Djokovic in a second tier.
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However, speaking on Tennis Channel, Austin strongly disagreed with Alexander Zverev’s assessment. While Jim Courier backed Zverev’s view, Austin admitted she was shocked, arguing instead that Sinner and Alcaraz belong together at the top, with Zverev and Djokovic forming the tier just below.
“For me, my jaw dropped,” Austin said. “You say he was pretty close but I thought he was pretty far away, putting himself in there with Carlos Alcaraz. Carlos Alcaraz won the last two Majors and seven overall and as far as I remember, Zverev is Slamless. He hasn’t won anything quite yet. So, I am gonna put Sinner and Alcaraz in top tier and I would put them together because they have won the last nine Slams. Carlos is injured right now, but he is still right there at the top.”
“Then, in the next tier, I am gonna put Zverev. He deserves that. He has gone deep in Majors, deep in so many other tournaments that he played. I am gonna put Novak in there as well with his 24 Majors and all the experience he has. He hasn’t played much lately but I will still put him in that second tier. Then there’s the rest of the top 10. It’s very clear. I was just shocked that Sascha bumped Alcaraz down and then put himself in there with Alcaraz,” she added.
Alexander Zverev & Jannik Sinner Kick Off Italian Open Run In Style Amid Carlos Alcaraz’s Absence
Alexander Zverev and Jannik Sinner have both kicked off their Italian Open campaigns in strong fashion, reaching the fourth and third rounds, respectively. Meanwhile, Carlos Alcaraz remains absent due to a wrist injury that has also ruled him out of the French Open.
Zverev defeated compatriot Daniel Altmaier 7-5, 6-3 before cruising past rising star Alexander Blockx 6-1, 6-4. Sinner, on the other hand, opened his run with a solid 6-3, 6-4 win over Sebastian Ofner in the second round.
Alexander Zverev will next face either Tommy Paul or Luciano Darderi, while Jannik Sinner is set to take on Alexei Popyrin in the next round.
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