Former World No. 4 Greg Rusedski Defends Alexander Zverev Against Criticism

Zverev secured his first Grand Slam title at the 2026 French Open, defeating Flavio Cobolli in a five-set final. He followed this success with a four-set victory over Ben Shelton at the US Open, marking his second major title. Before his triumph at Roland Garros, Zverev had a 0-3 record in Grand Slam finals and was regarded as one of the best players without a major win.

Despite his achievements, Zverev's victories came under scrutiny. His win at the US Open was his only victory over a top 10 ranked opponent during his title runs in 2026, and he holds a 2-8 record against such players this year. Notably, Carlos Alcaraz missed both the French Open and Wimbledon due to a wrist injury, while Jannik Sinner did not compete in the US Open due to a knee injury. Before this year, Alcaraz and Sinner had won nine consecutive majors between them.

In light of Zverev's upcoming ascension to world No. 1, some analysts argue that he has been fortunate to succeed without having faced top competitors like Sinner, Alcaraz, or Novak Djokovic. Rusedski countered this narrative by highlighting Zverev's dedication and the sacrifices made by his family for his career. He pointed out that when other players, like Nadal and Federer, win Grand Slams without defeating top 10 players, the conversation shifts away from luck.

Rusedski stated, "When [Rafael] Nadal and [Roger] Federer win Slams and they don’t beat top 10 players, nobody’s talking about it. Zverev had the most immense pressure on himself to win that title in Paris when he won the French Open. So from my point of view, kudos to him." He emphasized that winning any Slam, especially two in a year, is a significant achievement, and Zverev deserves recognition for his hard work and perseverance.