Alexander Zverev has had an outstanding 2026 season. The German ended his long wait for a Grand Slam title when he won the Roland-Garros after beating Flavio Cobolli in the final in Paris. The World no.2 then reached the Wimbledon final but could not cross the final hurdle against Jannik Sinner.
However, Zverev won his second Slam of the season and career when he bested home favorite Ben Shelton in the US Open final in four sets. Furthermore, the German is not far away from becoming the 30th player to rise to No. 1 in the history of the PIF ATP Rankings (since 1973).
He touched upon the importance of his team in his success this season.
“We have all been fighting and working extremely hard for the same goals and to achieve it together is even more special,” Zverev told ATP Media. “I think the number one reference point in my box is always my father. I think that is what I am most used to, most of the time.
“But I think it is important to have these close people because through tough moments you can have an argument and in the next moment you are still fighting for the same things. It is extremely important to have this kind of support and to have the people that know you best fighting for those things.”
Zverev has gone 58-15 this season and he is looking to win his third title of the season. The German wants to stay focused and control the controllables amid the number one ranking razzmatazz.
“I have big motivation to play and there are certain things I want to achieve, and of course I am fighting for. For me, I enjoy playing tennis at the moment and hope that continues,” Zverev said. “It is a talking point for everybody at the moment [the No. 1 ranking] but I am motivated to keep fighting for good things, hopefully. The only thing I can control is what I do on the tennis court and my next match and that is what my focus is on each time.”
Zverev will begin his Rolex Shanghai Masters campaign against Wu Yibing on Friday.
