Fabio Fognini is blunt about Zverev and Jannik Sinner

Fabio Fognini doesn’t mince words in downplaying Alexander Zverev’s victory at the U.S. Open—the German tennis player’s second Grand Slam title in 2026. Speaking to Sky, the former Ligurian player has no doubt that the German champion’s success in New York was primarily due to Jannik Sinner’s absence because of a knee injury and the struggles of Carlos Alcaraz, who is still not in top form after being sidelined for four and a half months due to a wrist injury.

“There’s no doubt that Zverev is much more consistent now than he used to be,” Fognini began. “Ben Shelton, who made it to the final, is also playing well. But right now, I really don’t see any other player capable of giving Alcaraz and Sinner—when they’re in top form—any trouble. In my opinion, they play a whole different level of tennis.”

“There’s a clear mental gap between those two and everyone else. None of the top 10 players can give them a run for their money in the major tournaments. Jannik struggled at Roland Garros and might lose that match against Cerundolo once in a million, while Carlos has made a comeback and, despite everything, after four and a half months, gave Shelton a run for his money in the best match of the tournament.”

Sinner and Alcaraz could return to the court at the China Open in Beijing, where the Italian is the defending champion. Novak Djokovic will certainly be there; he has announced his return to the Chinese capital after many years.