When the 2025 tennis season ended, the ATP was poised for another year of the Sincaraz dominance. The way the duo of Jannik Sinner and Carlos Alcaraz took their level to another level, such notions were quite understandable. However, with Alexander Zverev winning two Grand Slams this year, the duopoly has seemingly broken down, as both Alcaraz and Sinner have spent time off the court due to injuries. However, the World No.2 was collected in his thoughts and had a nuanced approach to the situation ahead of his campaign in Beijing.

“I think it’s a goal for anyone. I think in the beginning of the season everybody expected that battle to be between Carlos and Jannik, so I’m very pleased that I’m in that conversation. Of course, yeah, there’s some of it in my head, but again, I think I’ve said it so many times this year, I think the only thing that I can control is play good tennis and play well on the court and try to feel well on the court, try to do everything I can to prepare myself to play good tennis,” said Zverev during the China Open press conference. “Everything else will fall into place and is, 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.”

Zverev is not wrong to say he has taken care of what is within his control. Back at the French Open, the German moved through the draw, taking advantage of Alcaraz being out due to injury and Sinner having an unexpected loss against Juan Manuel Cerundolo in the second round. Quite the reverse narrative was at play at the US Open, with Sinner out with an injury and Alcaraz losing to Ben Shelton in a five-set thriller. On both occasions, Zverev did what he had to, and he was the last man standing in both Paris and New York.

However, there have been robust discussions in the tennis community, most of which have alluded to the draws Zverev received in both of his Major wins. While Ben Shelton was the only Top-10 player Zverev faced at the US Open, the highest-ranked opponent the German faced at Roland Garros was Flavio Cobolli, who was ranked 14 at the time of the French Open final.

Not only during the Majors, but Zverev has struggled against Top-10-ranked players this year on the Tour as well, with a 2-8 record against elite opposition. His loss to De Minaur at the Laver Cup prompted fans to reiterate the German’s record after the match, in which he lost from a winning position.

The direct rivalry with Sinner and Alcaraz is also worth noting for Zverev. While he has a close head-to-head record against the Spaniard, the World No.2 has really struggled against the Italian, losing the last ten matches in a row, including the Wimbledon final. Zverev has a 25-2 record at Slams this year, with his two losses coming at the hands of Alcaraz and Sinner.

While Zverev has had the rub of the green as far as Grand Slam draws are concerned, the German has shown signs of playing aggressive tennis, which will be key if he has to clinch the No.1 ranking by the year’s end.

Alexander Zverev Has the Opportunity to Finish the Season as the World No.1

With Sinner’s return to the court still under a cloud, Zverev has an opportunity to dethrone the Italian from the top of the ATP Rankings. Having withdrawn from the China Open, Sinner has already dropped 500 points and is currently about 1,300 points ahead of the German. With the World No.1 under an injury cloud and having a lot of points to defend from the indoor season, Zverev could pip him by the end of the year if he continues the form he is in.

The German has made some shifts in his game style, which ironically were in full display at the two Majors he did not win this year. In the Australian Open semifinal, he pushed Alcaraz to five sets and was one game away from winning. His improved game style was even more on show during his loss against Jannik Sinner at the Wimbledon final.

Serving big and playing with an aggressive forehand, Zverev went toe-to-toe against his nemesis for the first two sets. Even though Sinner wrapped it up in four sets, the adjustments that Zverev made seemed functional. On the other hand, at the French Open and at the US Open, Zverev was back to defensive baseline rallies, as he did not have to face either Sinner or Alcaraz.

Playing at the China Open, Zverev will begin his campaign against Cameron Norrie, which is a favorable matchup for him, given his record against left-handed players. The German will be keen to make a deep run in Beijing before he goes to the Masters 1000 event in Shanghai, which will be key in the battle for No. 1.