Roger Federer names the best player between Carlos Alcaraz, Jannik Sinner and Alexander Zverev and explains why

With Carlos Alcaraz and Jannik Sinner both having spent time injured and Alexander Zverev finally adding Grand Slam titles to his résumé, the debate over who is currently the best player in men's tennis has become far less straightforward. Zverev has the strongest major-tournament argument after winning two Grand Slam titles this year, while Alcaraz and Sinner remain the two players who have dominated much of the conversation at the top of the sport in recent seasons. Roger Federer was asked to weigh up all three ahead of the 2026 Laver Cup in London, and his answer ultimately came down to the player he believes has produced the strongest overall season.Federer puts Sinner at the topSpeaking to TNT Sports ahead of the Laver Cup, Federer was asked who he considers the best player in men's tennis right now, with Sinner's knee injury and Alcaraz's absence from recent action adding another layer to an already complicated debate.Federer eventually settled on Sinner, pointing particularly to the Italian's performances at the Masters 1000 events before his injury.“I'd say maybe it's even Sinner, just because of the sheer dominance that he had in Masters 1000s,” Federer said. “He played great until his injury.”Sinner's absence from the US Open has made the comparison more difficult, especially after Zverev took advantage of the opportunities in front of him and added two Grand Slam titles to his career record. Federer, however, believes Sinner's injury should not erase the level he had already shown during the season.“Now, what does the injury matter with his level of play? I think when he does show up, he's been the best,” Federer said. “That's why also his ranking is right there.”Federer also acknowledged the case for Alcaraz, making clear that the Spaniard remains capable of changing the conversation whenever he is playing at his highest level.“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,” Federer said.Zverev has the Grand Slam argument, but questions remainZverev's case is built around what he has finally achieved at Grand Slam level. The German has won two majors this year, reaching the stage many had expected him to reach during his career, and that success has naturally strengthened the argument that he should now be considered the best player in the world.Alcaraz has also backed that view, saying he believes Zverev currently deserves that distinction. There has, however, been another side to the discussion, with critics pointing out that Zverev did not have to beat either Alcaraz or Sinner on his way to those Grand Slam titles because both players were absent through injury.That has led to questions over how much weight should be given to Zverev's major victories when the two players who have been his leading rivals at the top of the sport were not there to challenge him. It does not diminish the achievement itself, but it explains why Zverev's position at the top of the game remains part of a wider debate rather than an uncontested conclusion.The recent head-to-head between Zverev and Sinner also adds another layer to the discussion. Zverev has not beaten Sinner since 2023 and has now lost their last 10 meetings, including five this year. Their Madrid Open final was particularly one-sided, with Sinner winning in under an hour.Federer recognised that Zverev's recent success makes the debate more complicated, particularly if the question is about who would currently be the favourite in a direct matchup.“And Sascha is now finally where we all hoped he would be one day as being a Grand Slam champion,” Federer said. “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.”Federer ultimately goes back to Sinner's seasonFederer's answer was therefore not an attempt to dismiss Zverev's achievements, but a distinction between recent Grand Slam success and the level a player has shown across the season.The Swiss believes the answer can change depending on the question being asked. Zverev has a compelling case based on his two major titles, Alcaraz can make an argument when judged at his absolute best, while Sinner's consistency and dominance before his injury remain the deciding factors for Federer.“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,” Federer said.That leaves Sinner as Federer's choice despite his recent absence, with the former world No. 1 placing greater weight on what the Italian produced across the season than on the Grand Slam opportunities Zverev has converted in his absence.The debate is unlikely to disappear while all three remain separated by injuries, recent results and different measures of success, but Federer's answer makes his reasoning clear: for the season as a whole, he still sees Sinner at the top.Stay updated with the latest Asian Games 2026 news, check the Asian Games medal tally and complete Asian Games schedule.Get the latest Sports News and Live updates. 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