While the tennis roster is taking up the trending page, one thing in common is the tournaments held in Saudi Arabia this year. This trend has caught the attention of many, including World No. 2 Alexander Zverev. The ATP featured the Six Kings Slams, showcasing top talents like Jannik Sinner, Carlos Alcaraz, Rafael Nadal, and Novak Djokovic. But while exhibitions are one thing, the WTA concluded its season with the Finals in Riyadh, highlighting fierce competition despite criticism. Zverev is now presenting a solution to ease the hectic tour schedule.

Currently competing at the ATP Finals in Turin, Zverev is on a roll. After a season filled with ups and downs, he climbed to second in the rankings following his win against Ugo Humbert at the Paris Masters. He continued his momentum by defeating Andrey Rublev 6-4, 6-4 in the first round and Casper Ruud 7-6(3), 6-3 in the second. With his skills sharp, Sascha is eyeing a potential third ATP Finals title!

However, one cannot overlook that fatigue is a common struggle for top players. While many voice concerns about the grueling schedule, Zverev sees an opportunity for improvement. In an interview with Suddeutsche Zeitung, he stated, “Saudi Arabia must be included in the calendar so that the season is shorter.” This change would allow players to choose tournaments wisely and take necessary breaks, reducing health risks. Additionally, Zverev has opted out of the upcoming Davis Cup qualifiers due to the short break between tournaments and his focus on singles competition. If he participates in the Davis Cup, he will have only a month to prepare for the 2025 Australian Open!

On the other hand, Zverev sees some financial benefits of including Saudi Arabia in the tour. He pointed out that events there offer substantial cash prizes and noted that the funding is crucial to “buy back tournaments” lost to other organizers. He explained, “If you add one week with Saudi Arabia, you can buy back four or five weeks.” This financial boost could restore vital tournaments for players. If you recall, Sinner took home a staggering $6 million prize for his victory at the Six Kings Slams exhibition event. So surely, there would be some benefit as Sascha mentioned.

Having been on the ATP circuit for about a decade, Zverev has seen enough ups and downs. It only makes sense that he is now advocating for change. The decision on next year’s schedule lies with the ATP. For now, Saudi Arabia will host events like the upcoming Next Gen ATP Finals in Jeddah. Meanwhile, Zverev is focused on his performance at the ATP Finals. And from Andy Roddick’s point of view, he stands a chance at the title once again!

Former tennis pro reveals Zverev’s possibility to claim another ATP Finals title!

On November 12th, Andy Roddick shared his thoughts on Alexander Zverev during an episode of the Tennis Channel Live Podcast. He believes Zverev has what it takes to excel, saying, “Watch out for him. I love him in this group.” With previous ATP Finals victories in 2018 and 2021, Zverev is the only player in this year’s event with such experience.

Zverev has just overtaken Carlos Alcaraz to claim the No. 2 spot in the ATP rankings. Competing in the John Newcombe Group, Zverev has already defeated two players in his initial matches. He first took down Andrey Rublev and then bested Casper Ruud. Showing that he has a strong chance of advancing. Roddick praised Zverev’s powerful serve against Rublev, noting, “When you serve 70 percent first serves on a regular basis, from 6’6” and you can defend like you’re 6’1, that solves a lot of problems.”

In the meantime, his upcoming match will be against Alcaraz. The Spaniard has been facing health issues and has trouble adjusting to the indoor court surface. Two things that cost him a win in the first round against Ruud, but he bounced back and beat Andrey with a 6-3, 7-6 (10/8) win. Now that the two are set to face each other, the excitement is palpable!

However, Roddick credits Zverev for his resilience, stating, “He always is kind of opportunistic when the situation presents itself.” After going through a low period following his win at the Italian Open in May, Zverev has bounced back impressively at the Paris Masters. Which is why Roddick believes the German has a shot at the title, saying, “I think he’s the favorite outside of Sinner.” As Zverev prepares to take on Alcaraz in his next match tomorrow, do you think he’ll emerge victorious and live up to Roddick’s expectations? Share your thoughts with us in the comments below!