Andrea Petkovic has weighed in on Alexander Zverev’s chances at the upcoming French Open, naming him the third favorite behind Jannik Sinner and Carlos Alcaraz for the 2026 Roland Garros title. The former German top-10 player and current tennis analyst made the assessment in an interview with SID, as reported by SPORT1 on April 21, 2026.
Petrovic acknowledged Zverev’s persistent pursuit of his first Grand Slam singles title while expressing cautious optimism about his prospects in Paris. “For me, Sascha is the favorite after Sinner and Alcaraz,” Petkovic stated, using Zverev’s nickname. She emphasized that while winning in Paris would be “tough, but possible” for the Hamburg-born player, Sinner and Alcaraz currently represent “the Nonplusultra in tennis and that must similarly be accepted.”
The commentary comes at a significant moment in Zverev’s career trajectory. According to his Wikipedia profile updated as of April 6, 2026, the 29-year-old German is currently ranked world No. 3 in men’s singles by the ATP, having previously reached a career-high ranking of No. 2 in June 2022. Zverev has contested three Grand Slam singles finals in his career: the US Open in 2020, the French Open in 2024, and the Australian Open in 2025, finishing as runner-up in each appearance.
Zverev’s recent form shows both promise, and frustration. He reached the final of the 2024 French Open, where he lost to Carlos Alcaraz, coming within one set of claiming his maiden major title. Despite not winning a Grand Slam in 2024, Zverev secured two Masters 1000 titles that season at the Italian Open and Paris Masters, demonstrating his ability to perform at the highest level outside of major tournaments.
The context of Petkovic’s assessment is further informed by the 2024 season’s conclusion, as reported by tennis-infinity.com. Jannik Sinner finished the year as ATP world No. 1 after winning the Australian Open and US Open, adding the ATP Finals in Turin and three Masters 1000 titles to his résumé. Alexander Zverev ended 2024 ranked No. 2, while Carlos Alcaraz, despite winning the French Open and Wimbledon that year, finished third in the year-end rankings due to the controversial nature of the ATP points system, as noted by Roger Federer’s former coach in the same report.
Petrovic also referenced a recent development that could impact Alcaraz’s French Open defense, noting that the Spaniard “was photographed yesterday with a splint on his wrist and has withdrawn from Madrid.” This observation introduces uncertainty about Alcaraz’s physical condition heading into Roland Garros, although Petkovic cautioned that “who knows what will happen” regarding the potential implications.
Beyond the men’s draw, Petkovic shared her concerns about the state of German women’s tennis ahead of the French Open. She expressed pessimism regarding the German Federation Cup team’s recent relegation to the third tier of international competition, stating that the current situation feels “really very unfortunate.” Petkovic noted the absence of established leaders like Angelique Kerber, Julia Görges, Sabine Lisicki, Laura Siegemund, and Tatjana Maria from the current generation of German female players.
The veteran analyst, who won seven WTA singles titles during her own playing career, highlighted the leadership gap in German women’s tennis as a contributing factor to their recent struggles in the Billie Jean King Cup. Germany experienced a historic first-time relegation to the third division in the competition with what Petkovic described as an “inexperienced team.”
Looking ahead to the French Open, Zverev’s quest for a maiden Grand Slam title continues to define his 2025 season objectives. As noted in his Wikipedia profile, securing a major championship remains Zverev’s stated goal for 2025, particularly after acknowledging that Alcaraz and Sinner “won all the Grand Slams in 2024.” The German player has consistently reached the latter stages of major tournaments but has yet to convert those opportunities into victories.
The French Open begins in late May at Roland Garros in Paris, with the men’s singles final scheduled for early June. As one of the four Grand Slam tournaments, Roland Garros presents Zverev with perhaps his best opportunity to break through, given his runner-up finish there in 2024 and his stated comfort on clay courts, where he has won multiple Masters 1000 titles including the Italian Open and Paris Masters.
For Archysport readers following the men’s tennis tour, the dynamics described by Petkovic illustrate the current hierarchy in ATP men’s singles while highlighting the narrow margins that separate the elite contenders. With Sinner and Alcaraz having established themselves as the dominant forces in recent major tournaments, Zverev’s position as the “favorite after” them reflects both respect for his capabilities and recognition of the exceptional standard set by the current top two.
The assessment provides valuable context for tennis fans anticipating the French Open, where the pursuit of history will be a central storyline. Whether Zverev can finally overcome the final hurdle to claim his first Grand Slam title remains one of the most compelling questions heading into Paris, with Petkovic’s analysis suggesting that while the challenge is significant, it is not beyond the realm of possibility for the German star.
What are your thoughts on Zverev’s chances at this year’s French Open? Share your predictions in the comments below and let us realize if you believe he can break through for his maiden major title in Paris.
