Alexander Zverev makes comment about the world number one ranking ahead of his China Open campaign

The German was then a key contributing factor in Team Europe’s Laver Cup triumph.

Zverev is now in Beijing preparing to compete in the China Open.

Zverev is also seeking to usurp Jannik Sinner and achieve the world number one ranking before the end of 2026; the Italian is absent in Beijing, boosting Zverev’s chances of accomplishing this feat.

The live ATP top five

• Jannik Sinner – 11,000
• Alexander Zverev – 9,630
• Carlos Alcaraz – 5,060
• Ben Shelton – 4,680
• Felix Auger-Aliassime – 3,890

Ahead of his opening match in China, Zverev discussed his thoughts and feelings regarding the world number one ranking.

Alexander Zverev comments on the world number one ranking

“I think it’s a goal for anyone,” Zverev said of the world number one ranking during his pre-tournament press conference.

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“I think in the beginning of the season everybody expected that battle to be between Carlos [Alcaraz] and Jannik, so I’m very pleased that I’m in that conversation [smiling].

“Of course, yeah, there’s some of it in my head. Again, I think I’ve said it so many times this year, the only thing that I can control is play good tennis, play well on the court, try to feel well on the court, try to do everything I can to prepare myself to play good tennis. Everything else will fall into place.

“Yeah, in my control, out of my control… There’s certain factors there, as well. So yeah, I’m just going to try to focus to win the matches that I can.”

Sinner is defending 3,350 ATP ranking points across the rest of 2026 after capturing 2025 titles in Beijing, Vienna, Paris and Turin.

The Italian has already surrendered 500 of these points following his withdrawal from the China Open.

Meanwhile, Zverev is defending 1,030 ranking points until the end of this campaign.

If Sinner’s knee injury persists and he is unable to participate in future events, Zverev would – in all likelihood – achieve the world number one ranking for the very first time.

Zverev will begin his China Open campaign later this week when he plays former Wimbledon semi-finalist Cameron Norrie.

The winner of Zverev and Norrie – who has an 0-8 record against the German – will play either Juncheng Shang or Sebastian Baez in the second round.

Alexander Zverev discusses how his mindset has changed since winning Grand Slams

Zverev finally leapt over the Grand Slam hump earlier this year when he captured the Roland Garros title.

The German has appeared much more relaxed in his play ever since winning the Parisian title, particularly off his forehand wing.

“I think I’ve said it before. I think after winning the French Open, your mind changes because you feel like you’ve won one,” Zverev told reporters in China on Wednesday. “Straight after the French Open, I made it to the finals of Wimbledon. I really felt like I can win again.

Alexander Zverev’s 2026 Grand Slam results

• Australian Open: Semi-finals [lost to Carlos Alcaraz in five sets]
• Roland Garros: CHAMPION [defeated Flavio Cobolli in five sets]
• Wimbledon: Runner-up [lost to Jannik Sinner in four sets]
• US Open: CHAMPION [defeated Ben Shelton in four sets]

“Before winning your first one, especially at my age, I was 29 years old, I still am 29 years old, you have question marks whether it’s ever going to happen or not.

“But those question marks are not there anymore. As you could probably see on the court, as well, I was enjoying New York a lot more than I was enjoying French Open.

“In French Open I had a lot of stress in me. I had a lot of nerves in me. Whereas in New York, I was just enjoying being there. I was enjoying being in the finals of Grand Slams.

“I really felt different there than I did the previous Grand Slams.”

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