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Kim Clijsters says if she believes Alexander Zverev deserves to finish 2026 as world number one

Alexander Zverev’s path to finishing 2026 as world number one appears nearly assured after Jannik Sinner’s abrupt withdrawal from the season, eliminating the Italian’s challenge to Zverev’s dominance. The German leads Carlos Alcaraz by a commanding 4,190 points in the ATP Race, a gap that makes it mathematically unlikely for anyone else to overtake him.

Despite his 0-13 record against Alcaraz, Sinner, and Novak Djokovic since January 2023, Zverev’s consistency on the court—and his ability to stay healthy—has set him apart in an era where top players like Alcaraz and Sinner have faced early-career injuries. Former world number one Kim Clijsters defended Zverev’s claim to the top spot, arguing that longevity and physical resilience in modern tennis often outweigh short-term head-to-head results.

She drew parallels to legends like Federer, Nadal, and Djokovic, emphasizing that Zverev’s sustained performance justifies his ranking, even amid criticism over his losses to the sport’s other elite players.

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