Backlash to backtrack? Alexander Zverev addresses the row that threatened his Roland-Garros run

Alexander Zverev got his 2026 French Open campaign off to a solid start as he continues his quest for a first Grand Slam title.

The German made quick work of Benjamin Bonzi, cruising to a straight-sets win over the Frenchman, winning 6-3, 6-4, 6-2.

He’ll next face Tomas Machac, a familiar opponent whom Zverev has beaten in their only previous meeting at tour level.

Before the tournament began, the world number three shared his thoughts on who’s leading the men’s game right now:

Many interpreted those remarks as Zverev putting himself on equal footing with Alcaraz, which drew plenty of criticism. He’s now looked to clarify what he meant.

Alexander Zverev clarifies his recent comments about Sinner and Alcaraz

While speaking to John and Patrick McEnroe on the ‘MacZone’, Zverev was asked whether he thinks he has a shot at beating Sinner in Paris this year.

He responded: “Look, I think it’s no secret that Jannik is playing the best. But I do believe, and I have to believe it, that I can beat him.

“Even though I lost to him quite easily in Monaco, I lost to him quite easily in Madrid. I didn’t play good tennis in those two matches.

“So if I play good tennis, if I am the person I want to be on the court, like against Carlos [at the Australian Open], I will at least have chances. And that’s what I got to tell myself.

“I got to tell myself that right now, ranking-wise, because I got in a lot of trouble when I said I feel like Jannik is the best and me, Carlos, and Novak are a step behind.

“What I meant was at that moment. And in that moment, that was the truth because Carlos was injured. Novak hasn’t played since Indian Wells. So that was the case.”

“Career-wise, I’m not saying that I’m there. I don’t compare myself to them. I’m not an idiot. But right now, ranking-wise, I’m the second-highest-ranked player here. I have to believe that I can beat the best player in the world. That’s as simple as that.”

Alexander Zverev looks back on his Australian Open defeat to Carlos Alcaraz

Zverev came close to knocking out Alcaraz at the Australian Open earlier this year, pushing the eventual champion all the way to a fifth set.

Reflecting on that match, Zverev said: “I played good tennis and I was doing exactly what I was told to do. It was the plan that me and my team had for the year to be more aggressive, to be the ones dictating the points.

“And I felt like against Carlos here, you’re never going to be always the one that is aggressive against Carlos, right? Because he has big weapons, he has big shots. But I was still the one that on my serve, I was dominant.

“When I had the chances, I was taking them, I was going for shots. And I lost the match because it was a tough physical battle where we both went to our limits. I didn’t lose the match because I backed off, I feel like.

“Even at 5-4, people were telling me, why didn’t you hit the forehand a bit harder? Why didn’t you serve a bit harder? I was like, I had nothing left in my legs. To hit the ball hard or to be aggressive, you still have to find the position with your legs.

“If your legs are just not there, you’re not going to swing just with your upper body. So I was still positive. I felt like I was doing the right things. And I lost a tough match, which can happen. I meant that I didn’t jump ahead at all.”

Sinner will present a significant challenge if they meet deep in Paris once again – but Zverev clearly feels he is better equipped now than when they last met.

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