Alexander Zverev has once again proven that he is back at the top of the men’s tennis world with a commanding performance at the **Rolex Paris Masters**. The German powerhouse captured his second Masters 1000 title of the season, showcasing his formidable game on a surface that suits his playing style perfectly. Zverev’s impressive run in Paris was marked by a steady rise in performance, peaking in the latter stages of the tournament. He dispatched Stefanos Tsitsipas in the quarterfinals, defeated Holger Rune in the semifinals, and triumphed over local favorite Ugo Humbert in the final, despite the partisan crowd backing the Frenchman. With this victory, Zverev has not only solidified his spot as the **World No. 2**, but also reaffirmed his credentials as a genuine contender for the upcoming **ATP Finals** in Turin.
Zverev’s path to the title in Paris was nothing short of clinical. He started with a solid first few rounds and then elevated his game from the quarterfinals onward. His serve, which has long been one of his strengths, was on fire throughout the week, and his baseline play was equally sharp, allowing him to dominate his opponents and assert control over every match. The fast surface at Bercy suited his powerful serve and aggressive return game, making him an overwhelming force for anyone who stood in his way. Despite a tough challenge from Humbert in the final, where the French crowd was roaring with support, Zverev remained calm and collected, closing out the match in straight sets, 6-3, 6-4.
The win in Paris marks Zverev’s **seventh Masters 1000 title**, a significant achievement in his career. However, it is clear that he is not content with just Masters titles. As he prepares for the **ATP Finals** in Turin, Zverev knows that the ultimate goal is to win a Grand Slam title, a feat that has eluded him so far. His performance in Paris has positioned him as one of the favorites for the season-ending tournament, and with his ranking now ahead of **Carlos Alcaraz**, he has avoided the possibility of facing **Jannik Sinner** in the group stage, giving him a favorable path to the final.
The surface at the ATP Finals is similar to that in Paris—fast and rewarding for big servers and aggressive baseliners—and Zverev’s confidence is growing. The German now faces the possibility of lifting his second ATP Finals trophy after his triumph in 2021. **Sinner**, however, remains a significant obstacle on these courts, and many see him as the top challenger. With **Alcaraz** and **Medvedev** also in the mix, the battle for supremacy at the ATP Finals will undoubtedly be fierce. But with **Novak Djokovic**, the winner of the last two editions, withdrawing due to injury, Zverev’s chances of adding another prestigious title to his collection have grown even stronger.
### Mischa Zverev Reflects on His Brother’s Form
After Zverev’s victory in Paris, his brother, **Mischa Zverev**, spoke about Sascha’s impressive comeback from injury and his current state in an interview with *L’Equipe*. Despite not having won a Grand Slam yet, Mischa emphasized how his brother’s 2024 season has been a success in many ways. “He wants to improve some elements of his game for the next Grand Slam tournaments,” said Mischa. “He’s determined and working on it. Yes, he has won here, yes, he is satisfied, but it’s not an end in itself. It’s just the beginning of the road.”
The triumph at Paris-Bercy has helped confirm that Zverev is back to his best after the ankle injury that sidelined him in 2022. Mischa highlighted that while Sascha has been consistent in the Masters 1000s, his performance in the Majors has been somewhat lacking, particularly during the critical moments of the season. Zverev made it to the semifinals of the **Australian Open** and the **French Open final** this year, but he has struggled to close out matches in the biggest events. “When he feels tense and nervous, Zverev tends to be too passive on the court,” Mischa explained. “He needs to take more initiative when under pressure.” This is an area Zverev has been working hard to address as he looks to improve his mental strength in high-stakes situations.
### Zverev’s Vision for the Future
Despite his impressive Paris victory, Zverev remains humble and focused on further improvement. In his post-match comments, Zverev acknowledged the level of tennis currently set by players like **Sinner** and **Alcaraz**, stating that they are more aggressive in their approach and seem to dictate the pace of the game. “When they get an easy ball, when they’re in an attacking position, 90% of the time the point is over, whether it’s a winner or an unforced error. That’s how hard they hit the ball, that’s how aggressive they are,” Zverev remarked. “I think in that aspect I can improve. That’s what I’m trying to do.”
He also admitted that while he is currently ranked ahead of **Alcaraz**, who won two Grand Slam titles this year, he still considers the Spaniard and **Sinner** to be the two best players in the world. “Yes, I’m ahead of him in the rankings maybe, but for me, he [Alcaraz] won Wimbledon and Roland Garros. Those are two massive titles. So, they are still the two best players in the world, in my opinion,” Zverev reflected.
### Zverev’s Decision to Skip the Davis Cup
Looking ahead to the end of the season, Zverev has made the decision not to participate in the **Davis Cup Finals** in **Malaga**, Spain. Instead, the German has opted to rest and prepare for the crucial first tournaments of 2025, including the **United Cup** and the **Australian Open**. This decision also comes on the heels of a serious illness — **pneumonia** — that has affected Zverev’s recovery. Though he has been playing at a high level in Paris, the illness has prevented him from fully recovering, and he has decided to prioritize his fitness for next season’s Grand Slam events.
Germany will now turn to **Daniel Altmaier** as a replacement for Zverev in the **Davis Cup** quarterfinals, where they will face **Canada**. Zverev’s decision not to play is a clear indication of his desire to focus solely on the **ATP Finals** and the 2025 season. Despite the setback of missing out on Davis Cup action, Zverev’s fans are hopeful that his decision to rest will pay off, as he looks to finally break his Grand Slam drought.
### Closing in on Sinner
Zverev’s victory in Paris has helped close the gap between him and **Jannik Sinner** in the ATP rankings, though there remains a significant distance between them. Zverev has won more matches than Sinner this season, but the Italian has suffered far fewer defeats, with just six losses compared to Zverev’s 20. As the ATP Finals approach, both players will be looking to prove that they are the best in the world, and Zverev will be aiming to make up ground on Sinner in the rankings.
As Zverev prepares for his bid at the ATP Finals, his sights are set on a big finish to 2024. If he can capture the **ATP Finals** title in Turin, it will serve as the perfect launchpad for his Grand Slam ambitions in 2025. The stage is set for Zverev to continue his rise and possibly challenge the likes of **Sinner** and **Alcaraz** for the top spots in men’s tennis in the years to come.