Carlos Alcaraz and Jannik Sinner, the dominant forces in men’s tennis, are facing a bold warning as Alexander Zverev emerges as a potential threat to their reign heading into the US Open 2025. With both stars recently withdrawing from the Canadian Open—Alcaraz announced today, July 21, at 05:38 PM WAT, and Sinner earlier this week—the stage is set for a reshuffled North American hard-court swing. Former ATP pro Tommy Haas has suggested that Zverev’s recent setbacks, including a Wimbledon first-round loss to Arthur Rinderknech and a French Open quarter-final exit, could fuel a hungrier mindset. Haas told Eurosport, “The defeat is actually doing him some good, so he now has time to reflect and try a fresh start… Perhaps he will be even hungrier at the US Open.”
Zverev, ranked No. 3, has been training at the Rafael Nadal Academy under Toni Nadal’s guidance, signaling a determined push to end his Grand Slam drought. Despite reaching finals at the Australian Open 2024 and 2025, he’s yet to secure a Major title, admitting after the latter loss to Sinner, “I’m just not good enough.” His 2017 Canadian Open win and strong hard-court record—highlighted by a Cincinnati title—position him as a contender, especially with Alcaraz and Sinner absent from Toronto. The duo’s withdrawals, citing recovery needs post-Wimbledon, leave 2,000 and 3,200 points to defend at the US Open, respectively, amplifying the pressure as Zverev aims to “spoil the party,” per his comments to Tennis365.
The rivalry between Alcaraz and Sinner, who split the last seven Grand Slams, remains intense, with Sinner’s Wimbledon triumph ending Alcaraz’s five-match winning streak against him. However, their focus on health—Alcaraz returning in Cincinnati, Sinner defending his title there—opens a window for Zverev. Chris Evert has also flagged Jack Draper as a dark horse, but Zverev’s experience and current training edge give him a stronger case. Posts found on X reflect mixed sentiments, with some fans backing Zverev’s resurgence while others question the top duo’s strategy, though these views remain inconclusive. As the US Open nears, Zverev’s hunger could challenge the narrative of Alcaraz and Sinner’s dominance, especially if their resets falter.
