German tennis star Alexander Zverev has said he would be ranked higher than where he is now if it was a ‘normal year’.

Currently at No.7 in the ATP singles rankings, Zverev, through his remarks, expressed his misgivings over the ranking system in a Covid-curtailed season.

Losses in big matches hurt rankings, says Alexander Zverev

He said loss of big matches in a season already shortened by the pandemic also cost him a better ranking place.

Speaking after the defeat to Novak Djokovic in the ATP Finals, Zverev said, “You know, if it would be normal ranking, normal year, I would be I think much higher up the rankings than I am now.”

The German said that despite his run of losses in big matches, the season went fairly well for him.

A mixed-bag year for Zverev

His bid to clinch his maiden Grand Slam crown at Australian Open this year ended in despair as he lost in the semi-final. Zverev did make the title-round of the US Open but fell at the final hurdle, losing to Austrian Dominic Thiem.

The German took his tally of career ATP titles 13 this year.

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Both his Tour title wins this year came at indoor hardcourt events in Cologne, Germany.

However, after a strong run at the Rolex Paris Masters, Zverev lost in the final to Russian Daniil Medvedev.

His campaign at the ATP Finals didn’t go well, either, as two losses and one win in the group stages put him out of contention for a semi-final spot.

Running into his Masters nemesis in his opening ATP Finals tie, Zverev lost to Medvedev again in straight sets.

The 2018 champion did follow up his loss with a three-set win over Argentine Diego Schwartzman but another defeat against top-seed Novak Djokovic put him out of the tournament.

Zverev counts the positives

Zverev said while the losses hurt, he can still draw a measure of comfort from his level of play this year.

“The US Open match obviously still hurts, but all the other ones (as well), it’s great that I’m playing at this level again,” the German said.

He said disappointments apart, he wouldn’t mind putting himself in the business-ends of tournaments again.

“For sure, you want to put yourself in those positions every time,” Zverev said.

Due to lesser tour events this season, the players have been under more pressure to finish with decent ranking points.