• Alexander Zverev defends his World No. 2 ranking against critics, citing his tournament wins and consistent results as justification.
• Zverev acknowledges his recent form slump but expresses confidence in regaining his best tennis for major tournaments, including the Italian Open.
• Zverev aims to defend his Italian Open title, viewing it as an opportunity to silence his detractors and prove his worthiness of the No. 2 ranking.

Alexander Zverev is currently the World No. 2, a position he regained after Carlos Alcaraz missed the Madrid Open due to injury. However, his ranking has been questioned due to perceived poor form, prompting Zverev to defend his position by highlighting his past achievements and asserting that the ranking system accurately reflects performance. He is preparing to compete in the Italian Open, where he is the defending champion, and aims to prove his critics wrong by performing well and retaining his title. He mentioned Alcaraz and Djokovic are also not happy with their recent results.

• What: Alexander Zverev defends his World No. 2 ranking amid criticism and prepares for the Italian Open.
• Who: Alexander Zverev, Carlos Alcaraz, Novak Djokovic, Rennae Stubbs, Jannik Sinner
• When: Article published May 7, 2025; Italian Open preparation ongoing; Zverev won the Italian Open in 2024.
• Where: Madrid Open, Italian Open (Foro Italico), Munich Open

The news focuses on Alexander Zverev's response to criticism surrounding his World No. 2 ranking. He directly addresses concerns about his recent form, asserting that his ranking is based on accumulated results. His upcoming participation in the Italian Open is presented as an opportunity for him to reaffirm his position and silence his detractors. The context includes the absence of Alcaraz from the Madrid Open and the return of Jannik Sinner, adding further layers to the competitive landscape.

I’m there because I won tournaments. I’m there because I have results. The ranking system doesn’t lie.

At the end of the day in big matches, big moments, I still believe the top players will rise. And I still believe that I am going to find my tennis for the biggest tournaments.

I feel confident here. I really like the place, so I hope I can play as well as last year and win a lot of matches.

Alexander Zverev, currently holding the World No. 2 ranking, aims to solidify his position and silence critics with a strong showing at the Italian Open. Despite acknowledging recent challenges, Zverev's confidence is buoyed by his successful 2024, which included winning two ATP Masters 1000 titles in Rome and Paris, reaching the French Open final, and qualifying for the ATP Finals. His performance in Rome, where he secured his second Italian Open title, serves as a testament to his resilience and clay-court prowess. Zverev's focus extends beyond defending his ranking; he seeks to build momentum for future major tournaments, leveraging his improved form and strategic gameplay to achieve sustained success.