In the high-stakes arena of men’s tennis, where every tournament offers a chance to redefine legacies, Carlos Alcaraz and Alexander Zverev have found themselves under intense scrutiny. With world No. 1 Jannik Sinner sidelined by a three-month doping suspension until May 4, 2025, the door was wide open for the No. 2 and No. 3 ranked players to seize the ATP’s top ranking. Yet, their performances have been labeled “disastrous” by former world No. 33 Paolo Lorenzi, who lamented, “They can’t find continuity.” As the clay season unfolds, the failure of Alcaraz and Zverev to capitalize on Sinner’s absence has sparked a broader conversation about consistency, pressure, and the shifting dynamics of the sport’s next generation.
Sinner’s suspension, stemming from two positive tests for clostebol in March 2024, began on February 9, stripping him of opportunities to defend 1,600 ranking points from tournaments like Miami, Monte Carlo, and Madrid. His lead, once a towering 3,695 points over Zverev, is expected to shrink to 9,730 by his return at the Italian Open. This gap presented a golden chance for Zverev, with 8,135 points, and Alcaraz, with 7,410, to close in. “I expected something more from Zverev, Alcaraz, and even Novak Djokovic,” Lorenzi said, pointing to the trio’s inability to exploit the void. Zverev, in particular, has faltered, posting a 4-4 record across Buenos Aires, Rio, Acapulco, and Indian Wells. His latest setback, a first-round loss to Matteo Berrettini in Monte Carlo, ensured Sinner’s No. 1 ranking through Rome. “Zverev himself went to South America to score points, and instead the conditions were complicated,” Lorenzi noted, highlighting the German’s misstep in chasing clay events.
Alcaraz’s journey has been equally turbulent. The four-time Grand Slam champion, who once held the No. 1 spot for 36 weeks, started strong by winning Rotterdam in February. But his momentum fizzled with a quarterfinal exit to Jiri Lehecka in Doha, a semifinal loss to Jack Draper in Indian Wells, and a stunning first-round defeat to David Goffin in Miami—his first opening-round loss there. “This first part of the season, I said that I felt I was playing good tennis. I was feeling good, but after this defeat, I don’t know what to say,” Alcaraz confessed in Miami, his frustration palpable. The pressure to reclaim the top spot has weighed heavily, with the Spaniard admitting in Monte Carlo, “A lot of people are asking me, or are telling me, that I have the chance to become No. 1 if Jannik is not playing. So probably that pressure has killed me in some way.”
The criticism isn’t just about results—it’s about consistency. Lorenzi argued, “The first is Alcaraz, who has very little continuity. We expect him now to take advantage of the chance related to Sinner’s absence to become number one again.” Zverev, too, has struggled to string together deep runs, his Indian Wells exit to Tallon Griekspoor and Acapulco loss to Learner Tien exposing vulnerabilities. “I’m just not playing good tennis at the moment,” Zverev admitted after Indian Wells, a candid acknowledgment of his form slump. Both players face significant point defenses—Zverev with 650 points across Miami, Monte Carlo, Munich, and Madrid, and Alcaraz with 1,400, including 1,000 from his 2024 Indian Wells title—making their path to No. 1 even steeper.
The broader ATP landscape reflects this chaos. With Sinner absent, players like Draper, Holger Rune, and Felix Auger-Aliassime have risen, while veterans like Djokovic have also faltered, his Miami final loss to Jakub Mensik a rare bright spot. “For everyone else, I don’t see that crazy difference in their game. They struggle a lot,” Lorenzi observed, suggesting Sinner’s consistency sets him apart. As Alcaraz and Zverev pivot to clay, their favorite surface, opportunities abound in Monte Carlo, Barcelona, and Madrid, where a combined 3,500 points are up for grabs. Yet, Alcaraz’s recent Monte Carlo final offers hope, though he cautioned, “I think I could do better.” Zverev, meanwhile, faces pressure to rebound in Madrid, where he’s a two-time champion.
The narrative isn’t just about rankings—it’s about a generational shift. Sinner, Alcaraz, and Zverev are the torchbearers of men’s tennis, but their rivalry hinges on who can master consistency. As Sinner prepares to return, his rivals’ “disastrous” form has only widened his lead, making his Rome comeback a moment to watch. For now, Alcaraz and Zverev must confront their demons—pressure, inconsistency, and expectation—to prove they can challenge the Italian’s reign.
[](https://www.tennis365.com/tennis-news/carlos-alcaraz-alexander-zverev-novak-djokovic-jannik-sinner-absence-doping-ban-world-no-1)[](https://www.yardbarker.com/tennis/articles/famous_tennis_pundit_blasts_carlos_alcaraz_and_alexander_zverev_for_making_jannik_sinner_return_at_the_rome_masters_as_world_no1_despite_three_month_suspension/s1_17325_42023205)[](https://www.straitstimes.com/sport/tennis/carlos-alcaraz-admits-pressure-to-take-jannik-sinners-no-1-ranking-killed-him)
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