Lorenzo Musetti says that Alexander Zverev deserves to be world No 1 but his best is still a level below Carlos Alcaraz and Jannik Sinner.

Zverev became the 30th world No 1 earlier this month, thanks in no small part to winning the French Open and US Open this year, while staying injury-free for the majority of 2026.

That cannot be said for Wimbledon champion Sinner and Australian Open winner Alcaraz, both of whom have been out for months with respective knee and wrist injuries.

Zverev won at Roland Garros at a time when Alcaraz was out injured, while Sinner fell early in the French capital. And again at Flushing Meadows, Sinner wasn’t fit, while Alcaraz lost to beaten finalist Ben Shelton in the last eight.

In light of the 29-year-old having a 3-9 record against the top 10 but still ascending to the top in a season that has been blighted by injuries, Zverev admitted he was “annoyed” at all his detractors.

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Now, former world No 5 Musetti has commended Zverev for topping the rankings, as well as pointing out that staying injury-free is a big part of tennis.

However, the Italian, who beat Zverev in the second round of the Paris Masters last week, still feels that Sinner and Alcaraz are the best players in tennis when they are firing on all cylinders.

He told Bolavip, “I think Sasha deserves the world number one spot, for sure, and I am happy for him that he finally achieved two Grand Slam titles and the number one spot.

“Of course, the injuries to Sinner and Alcaraz have affected the rankings and most of the top players, but the physical aspect is a part of the game and whoever is the most consistent and fit enough to play is the one that can get the number one spot.

“But of course, in terms of level I think there is no doubt that if everyone is at their best, Sinner and Alcaraz are still better than anyone else. They are still demonstrating that they are the ones to beat.”

Indeed, Sinner has the best win/loss record of any player in 2026 at 49-3, followed by Alcaraz – who has won three titles since returning from his wrist injury in late August – at 46-6, with Zverev back on 66-20.

The Italian also leads the way for titles won this year with six, Paris Masters champion Alcaraz has five of his own, and Zverev has two. The German can perhaps quieten some of his naysayers if he wins the ATP Finals, beating Alcaraz along the way.