Carlos Alcaraz says if he thinks Alexander Zverev will struggle to find motivation now he is world number one

Carlos Alcaraz has given his verdict on how Alexander Zverev will now feel after becoming world number one.

Zverev confirmed he will become world number one after the Vienna Open, a position he already knew that he would earn after Jannik Sinner ended his season early due to a knee injury.

This means that Zverev will become the 30th world number one in ATP history, joining the likes of Alcaraz to have reached the summit of the rankings.

Alcaraz is the youngest ever player to have become world number one, which he achieved after winning the 2022 US Open, which he has now admitted led to a loss in motivation. With Zverev becoming world number one, Alcaraz has revealed if he thinks the same will now happen to the German.

Carlos Alcaraz ‘pretty sure’ Alexander Zverev will be motivated despite admitting his own struggles

Alcaraz is currently the world number three, but is building his ranking back up after nearly five months on the sidelines earlier this year due to a wrist injury. Alcaraz is competing at the Vienna Open right now, and after beating Tommy Paul to reach the semi-finals he was asked about Zverev becoming world number one.

The world number one ranking came for Alcaraz after he won his first Grand Slam title at the US Open, which he admitted made it difficult for him to find motivation, but he appears confident that this will not happen to Zverev.

“Obviously for me it was a dream, it was great,” Alcaraz said in his post-match press conference. “You don’t feel special to be honest, you don’t feel you’re the best player in the world, it’s just ranking. But in terms of getting there, the first feeling of I made it, it’s special.

“When I got it back in 2022 I was really young and it was my dream since I started playing tennis, and for me it came through winning a Grand Slam title that was another dream for me, so it kind of mixed dreams the same day which was really special.

“After that, for me it was really difficult to find motivation, after that alright I made my goal and now what’s next, so I struggled a little bit the next month to find motivation and I would say that’s part of the job that you have to stay with your feet on the ground and you have to think about the tournaments ahead. I am pretty sure Sascha will be motivated for the next tournaments, but for me it was a great feeling when I got it.”

Carlos Alcaraz’s results after becoming world number one for the first time

Alcaraz had won five titles in 2022, including the US Open, which enabled him to become world number one for the first time.

However, his drop in motivation is certainly evidenced in his results after the US Open, with Alcaraz winning just six of his 10 matches, and failing to win another title that year.

Alcaraz’s season then ended in injury, as he was forced to withdraw from making his debut at the ATP Finals after suffering an abdominal issue.

The world number one ranking is something that Alcaraz is much more familiar with now, having had six reigns at the summit of the ATP rankings lasting a total of 66 weeks.

Alcaraz will not be able to become world number one again until at least 2027, but he could play Zverev at the Vienna Open if both players reach the final in the Austrian capital.