Roger Federer claims Jannik Sinner has still had a better year than Alexander Zverev and explains why

With injuries to Carlos Alcaraz and Jannik Sinner, and Alexander Zverev taking advantage over the past few months, a fresh debate has raged at the top of the ATP Tour.

Now, inexplicably, there are some who would argue that the German must now be considered the best player the men's game currently has to offer.

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Everyone from his fellow professionals to pundits and even fans have an opinion on this topic, with Roger Federer the latest to weigh in.

Whilst he appreciated all Alexander Zverev has accomplished this campaign, the Swiss superstar still couldn't accept him as the true frontrunner on the ATP Tour.

For him, that title remains with Jannik Sinner.

Roger Federer shares his pick for the best player in tennis right now

Chatting with TNT Sports, he was asked the burning question and began with a summary of all three options.

It felt like he might have been on the fence, but he eventually settled on the current world number one.

Federer noted: "I mean, I'd say maybe it's even Sinner, just because of the sheer dominance that he had in Masters 1000s. He played great until his injury. Now, what does the injury matter with his level of play? I think when he does show up, he's been the best. That's why also his ranking is right there.

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"Now, we also know that when Carlos is at his absolute best that maybe he is, I might argue that he is the best player out there, and I think he knows that as well.

"And Sascha is now finally where we all hoped he would be one day as being a Grand Slam champion, and now you could argue that maybe right now, if there was a matchup, that maybe he would be the guy, because also Carlos is coming back from injury and Sascha.

"So I think it's a debate, but I think just from the year that Sinner has had, I'd say he's super, super tough, yeah."

Alexander Zverev hasn't beaten Jannik Sinner in over three years

Surely, to be the best you have to beat the best.

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Although Alcaraz said he thought Zverev was currently the best player in the world, the ease of his two runs to major success does feel tainted by the absence of any notable threats, particularly the Spaniard and his great rival.

Admittedly, you can only beat what's in front of you, and for that he does deserve credit.

But focusing on his rivalry with Sinner specifically, and it's not even a contest.

Zverev has not beaten the 24-year-old since 2023, currently enduring a ten-match losing streak, five of which have come in this very year. The Madrid Open final marked a particular low point for the German, who was swept aside in under an hour.

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