Alexander Zverev and Novak Djokovic Make Wrong History
Locker Room
November 5, 2026
Alexander Zverev has not taken comfortably to the lofty position of world number one.
Sascha has expressed dismay in recent days that he has been insufficiently praised for his achievement.
There have been too many whispers for the German’s liking. Claims that injuries to Carlos Alcaraz and Jannik Sinner were the real reasons for Zverev’s successful climb.
But then Sascha didn’t really help his own case in Paris. Embarrassingly, the 2026 Wimbledon finalist became the first man in tennis history to lose his maiden match as top dog.
The free-flowing backhand of Lorenzo Musetti and the Italian’s confident all-round court craft proved decisive in a resounding 7-6 (7-5), 6-2 victory
Zverev, the man they will all now want to beat, slid to inappropriate defeat without too much fight in the second set. He will doubtless try to look more masterful at the ATP Finals.
Alexander Zverev may need to win Wimbledon 2027 to convince the doubters that he is really as good as previous Wimbledon winners Alcaraz and Sinner.
Meanwhile Novak Djokovic will arrive at the All England Club as an outsider for the Wimbledon title next summer.
Long campaigns in five-set tournaments look increasingly challenging for the legendary Serb. He will be 40 by the time the Championships begin in London.
Like Zverev, Djokovic was shocked by his defeat to a less celebrated opponent in the French capital. It wasn’t that Novak played badly.
But Rinky Hijikata conjured one of the best performances of his career to run out a 2-6, 6-3, 6-3 winner. And the Australian’s excellence put paid to Novak’s year-end dreams.
This will be only the second time in 20 years that Djokovic has failed to reach the ATP Finals. The last no-show was in 2017 – and that absence was down to an elbow injury.
Alexander Zverev and Novak Djokovic will try to make their mark against Jannik Sinner and Carlos Alcaraz when all are fully fit for Wimbledon 2027.
What an irresistible fusion of history and glamour Wimbledon 2027 will be! Can we help you to be there on Centre Court or Court No1 for the big occasions?
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