Alexander Zverev has weighed in on the debate about whether reaching and maintaining a top-10 ATP ranking is more challenging in 2025 compared to previous eras, offering a nuanced perspective that highlights the evolving depth of men’s tennis. Speaking in a press conference, Zverev argued that while the top of the game in 2017 was dominated by an elite group—Rafael Nadal, Novak Djokovic, Roger Federer, Andy Murray, Stan Wawrinka, and Juan Martin del Potro—the overall depth from ranks 10 to 30 was weaker than it is now. “In 2017, the top 10 was very strong… but the level from 10-20, 20-30 was much lower than it is now,” he said. “Now, the depth is much stronger.”[](https://x.com/connorjoyceb/status/1917283017753776248)
Zverev, currently ranked No. 2, emphasized that the current era features a broader pool of highly competitive players, making it tougher to secure and hold a top-10 spot. He pointed to players like Daniel Altmaier, ranked outside the top 50, who can pose significant challenges to top players due to their unpredictable styles and high-quality play. This depth is evident in 2025’s clay season, where Zverev himself faced a grueling test against Alejandro Davidovich Fokina in Madrid, winning 2-6, 7-6(3), 7-6(0), and noted Davidovich Fokina’s career-best form.[](https://www.thetennisgazette.com/news/alexander-zverev-names-the-player-ranked-outside-of-the-atp-top-50-who-makes-things-extremely-complicated-for-the-top-guys-in-tennis/)[](https://www.atptour.com/en/news/davidovich-fokina-zverev-madrid-2025-sunday)
The increased difficulty is also reflected in Zverev’s own 2025 struggles, despite his Australian Open final and Munich title. Losses to players like Tallon Griekspoor at Indian Wells and Arthur Fils in Miami highlight how lower-ranked players can upset top seeds. Zverev’s comments align with the competitive landscape facing peers like Jannik Sinner, who, despite his doping ban, retains No. 1, and Alex de Minaur, tipped by Todd Woodbridge for a Grand Slam semi-final. The 2025 clay season, with events like the French Open (May 25–June 8), underscores this depth, as players like Zverev, Sinner, and de Minaur navigate a field where upsets are common and consistency is harder to maintain. [Word count: 400][](https://www.nine.com.au/sport/tennis/indian-wells-news-2025-alexander-zverev-tallon-griekspoor-result-scores-20250308-p5li1t.html)[](https://www.atptour.com/en/news/zverev-reaction-miami-2025-wednesday)[](https://x.com/MotorcycleSp/status/1917854555129405540)
