Juan Carlos Ferrero predicts if Alexander Zverev can now compete with Carlos Alcaraz long-term

Juan Carlos Ferrero has suggested that Alexander Zverev can compete on equal terms with Carlos Alcaraz.

Ferrero, who previously coached his fellow Spaniard to great success, believes the German has improved his mental strength and should therefore be able to challenge Alcaraz and indeed Jannik Sinner on a long-term basis.

It comes after Zverev claimed his maiden Grand Slam title at the French Open this year, before adding a second at the US Open. He also reached the Wimbledon final, and Zverev will be the year-end number one for 2026. The 29-year-old can overtake Sinner as ATP number one at this week’s Vienna Open.

And Ferrero, who is set to return to coaching imminently, has now shared his verdict on the German reaching that rank. The year-end ranking is already guaranteed, but Zverev can become number one for the first time in his career with a quarterfinal run in the Austrian capital.

Juan Carlos Ferrero suggests Alexander Zverev can compete with Carlos Alcaraz

Speaking to Eurosport Spain, Ferrero said of Zverev as number one: “I think it’s well-deserved. He’s a player who I believe has been working towards this for a long time. Perhaps his level and development had stagnated a bit over the last three or four years.

“But in the last year and a half, I think he’s realised this and has really been trying to improve. It just so happens that neither Carlos nor Jannik have been there. He’s taken advantage of the opportunity. But I think that now, having seized that opportunity, he’s going to be mentally stronger to try and compete on equal terms with them.”

He was also asked how difficult it will be for men’s tennis to witness another Big Three, as Novak Djokovic, Rafael Nadal and Roger Federer once formed. Ferrero replied: “Right now, we’re seeing it with Carlos and Jannik, and I don’t think it’s that difficult.

“I think we’re seeing a rivalry that we’ve already seen with one other player. Well, hopefully Zverev, or those close to him, whether they’re ranked fourth or fifth, will raise their level and we can see a bit more competition among the Grand Slams. But it’s difficult to predict that.

“I think what Rafa, Roger, and Novak have achieved… it’s really hard to imagine someone winning so many Grand Slams in this day and age. But well, both Jannik and Carlos are getting there little by little. They’re winning one or two Grand Slams each year. And well, for now, they’re showing that they’re on the right track.”

Does Alexander Zverev deserve to be world number one?

A lot has been made about Zverev’s two Grand Slam titles and his rise to number one, which have indeed coincided with injury absences from both Alcaraz and Sinner. But every player had the chance to make the most of the situation, and the German certainly did that.

Like Ferrero, Alcaraz says Zverev deserves to be number one, although many continue to argue against it. But there is simply no arguing against the points that he has amassed to rise to the very top, and indeed the physical and mental strength he showed to go all the way in Paris and New York.

Of course, it is just one season in the very long careers of the top players, meaning Sinner and Alcaraz can simply turn the tide back in their favour in 2027. The Italian is already looking that far ahead, with Sinner having ended his 2026 season. He has also hired Magnus Norman as his new coach, which incidentally comes after Ferrero admitted he couldn’t turn down coaching Sinner.

Meanwhile, both the Spaniard and the German are chasing success at the Vienna Open. Alcaraz beat Karen Khachanov in his opener, with Zverev overcoming Martin Landaluce. The former now meets Nikoloz Basilashvili, with the latter taking on Tallon Griekspoor.