Alexander Zverev, ahead of the French Open’s imminent start, has been rating the current state of men’s tennis since the steady departure of the Big Three.
Seeking to compare the current-day level to the one he was forced to break into, the 28-year-old offered a measured response to one question posed to him by an interviewer.
After all, he is part of a unique generation that has had to grow up competing against some of the very best players that tennis has ever produced, but now has to contend with young superstars like Carlos Alcaraz and Jannik Sinner seeking to re-monopolise the top of the sport.
However, these two are not alone in spearheading this revolution, with Jack Draper another who has come from almost nowhere to be considered a new threat for elite titles across the next decade.
Alexander Zverev reacts to Jack Draper’s rise up the world rankings
Asked about the current state of the top 30 and beyond, Zverev did not hold back in his assessment of his peers.
After all, few can really argue with his claims, with the German even using Draper as an example to make his point.
He claimed: ‘I think breaking into the top ten or top five in the world was more difficult back then, because four spots were taken at all times, and number five, six and seven was basically Stan, Delpo and Tomas Berdych, or someone like Kei Nishikori or David Ferrer. So like six or seven spots were constantly taken.
‘I don’t see that nowadays. I see Jannik as very dominant, Carlos very dominant. If you take away the last three months of my career, maybe I’ve been quite consistent at the top for the past ten years. Obviously, Novak is still Novak. Apart from those four spots, it feels like everything is up for grabs nowadays.
‘It seems like the rise of players comes a bit quicker, like Jack Draper this year is all of a sudden rising up to rankings, four in the world, very very quickly. He deserves to be, he’s a great player, he’s won a Masters and made the final of another one, and he absolutely deserves to be where he is right now.
‘I’m sure they’re going to win plenty more tournaments in the future and be contenders for big events for many, many more years to come, but to do that ten or 15 years ago it took you longer.’
Jack Draper deserves his ranking after his 2025 performances
Zverev is right in claiming that Draper deserves to be where he is, but equally, his claim about the current state of the top ten compared to ten years ago is fair too.
However, the Brit has enjoyed a stunning 2025 which would have propelled him way up the rankings in any given year, having won Indian Wells and reached the final in Madrid.
Jack Draper tournament performance 2025
| Event | Round reached | Defeated by |
| Australian Open | Fourth Round | Carlos Alcaraz (ret) |
| Qatar Open | Final | Andrey Rublev |
| Indian Wells | Winner | N/A |
| Miami Open | Round of 64 | Jakub Mensik |
| Monte-Carlo | Round of 16 | Alejandro Davidovich Fokina |
| Madrid | Final | Casper Ruud |
| Rome | Quarter-final | Carlos Alcaraz |
This has built upon a 2024 where he laid the foundations for such a rapid rise, reaching the semi-finals of the US Open too.
From being regularly injured and unable to go the distance, the 22-year-old is now a dogged performer who can cause anybody on the tour problems.
Heading into the French Open, there is excitement about his coach of a deep run. Then following that, his game is sure to be a major threat on grass.
Especially given Jack Draper’s Roland Garros draw, which does look favourable.
