Just In: Alexander Zverev causes a stir with Carlos Alcaraz statement hours before US Open final
Alexander Zverev is through to a third straight Grand Slam final, and his first at the US Open in six years. The German benefitted from Jannik Sinner’s withdrawal, becoming the top seed in Flushing Meadows in his absence. It also meant that Carlos Alcaraz – who was returning from a four-month injury layoff and ultimately lost to Ben Shelton in the quarter-finals – wasn’t in his half of the draw.
The last three Grand Slam tournaments have now only featured one of Alcaraz or Sinner. The Spanish superstar missed the French Open and Wimbledon due to a wrist injury, while the world No. 1 pulled out of the US Open with a knee issue.
And Zverev has capitalised on their absences. He won his maiden Grand Slam title at Roland Garros in the spring, when defending champion Alcaraz was sidelined, while Sinner suffered a shock second-round defeat as he wilted in the heat.
Now, the world No. 2 finds himself in another Major final, and could win his second Slam of the season – more than either Alcaraz or Sinner have won in 2026. It’s a far cry from 2025, when three of the four Grand Slam finals were contested between ‘Sincaraz’.
But Zverev has now made it clear that he always believed he could be in this position, suggesting that the media were busy worrying about whether there would be more Alcaraz vs Sinner showdowns.
“I believed in it. I believed that it’s possible. I think not many of you guys did,” he laughed. “I think the question was always is Carlos and Jannik going to play all four Grand Slam finals between each other again.”
However, Zverev’s comments haven’t gone down too well with some tennis fans, who have pointed out that Alcaraz and Sinner have still beaten him when they’ve faced off at the Majors this year.
The German has long been a Grand Slam contender and has defeated both men in the past, and you can only beat who is in front of you. But fans believe that Alcaraz and Sinner’s absences have helped him.
“It was possible because they were injured and/or came back after a 5 months layoff with a severe injury. If both were 100% fit, the scenario’s would have been completely different. Simple as that Zverev,” @GeertMichael tweeted.
@EffieRe11930884 wrote: “Zverev, I am happy for you but let’s put things into perspective. The 2 times you played Carlos & Jannik in the grand slams this year, you lost. Carlos beat you on one leg. Please let’s not get ahead of ourselves.
@mementofuori added: “In a season where Carlos could not participate in two and Jannik in one !” And @gojokooking said: “he’s talking like he has personally prevented Carlos and sinner from making these finals.”
Alcaraz came back from 3-5 down in the final set of the Aussie Open semi-final in January to win 7-5, going on to lift the trophy. Sinner beat Zverev in four sets in the recent Wimbledon final, even though the 29-year-old was arguably the better player for the first two sets.
