Alexander Zverev sends a clear message to Jannik Sinner

The announcement that Jannik Sinner has withdrawn from the ATP 500 in Beijing has inevitably put the spotlight back on the race for the world No. 1 ranking. Among the main beneficiaries of this situation is Alexander Zverev, who in the coming weeks will have the opportunity to further close the gap in the rankings with the South Tyrolean champion.

Despite the favorable scenario, however, the German does not seem inclined to change his approach. Speaking on the sidelines of his Laver Cup commitments, Zverev reiterated a point he has made on several occasions: his focus remains exclusively on his performance on the court.

“The absences and physical conditions of my colleagues shouldn’t influence my daily work,” Zverev told Sky Sports UK. “People are talking about the rankings now and will continue to do so, especially in light of Sinner’s situation, but the race for the number one spot shouldn’t become an obsession. Still, it’s normal for there to be a lot of talk about it right now.”

For Zverev, the formula remains simple, at least on paper: “You have to prepare as best as you can, play good matches, and keep winning,” the German champion stated bluntly. “All the talk about the world No. 1 ranking comes as a natural consequence of the results achieved.”