Zverev is amazed by Landaluce's level and sends a subliminal message to the ATP

Alexander Zverev has quickly and naturally stepped into the role of legendary player and world number 1. Winning matches that seem lost and giving your all on the court with humility when it would be easy to give up are qualities possessed by only a few. His victory over Martín Landaluce at the ATP 500 Vienna 2026 encompasses those virtues, and his words in the press conference have been telling.

With the number 1 spot at the end of the year secured, an exhausting and spotless season, and upcoming significant challenges, Alexander Zverev would have been entirely justified in letting himself go in such a tough match against Martín Landaluce. However, he clung to the match with more heart than tennis and demonstrated an unusual ambition to debut his status as the best player in the ATP ranking with a title.

This is what Zverev said after defeating Landaluce in Vienna

Zverev acknowledges Landaluce's good performance

"I didn't expect to suffer so much because I had trained quite well in the days prior. I had never played against Martín and didn't know exactly what to expect, but I thought that one way or another, I would manage to pull through without too many problems. However, today he did not play at all like the number 60 in the world. He showed an incredible level, and I'm very happy to have achieved the victory."

"Today I had some difficulties with the balls because they were incredibly slow. I think I've never served so few aces in a three-set match. I struggled to adapt to that, but we have to credit what Landaluce did; he played at a really high level."

Take a bow, BOTH of you! 🫡 An incredible battle between Zverev and Landaluce, capped off by a classy embrace at the net ❤️ @ErsteBankOpen | #ErsteBankOpen https://t.co/SgHD1SwxD3

— ATP Tour (@atptour) October 27, 2026

End-of-season fatigue and thoughts on the number 1

"I'm not thinking about being the number 1 in the world because I know that's something I have guaranteed. It makes very little difference to me reaching that position this week or next. As for available energy, it is clear that at the end of the season it starts to decrease. In Shanghai, it had completely disappeared; I have to admit that. In the semifinals, I was totally exhausted and it was very difficult for me."

"Now, however, I’ve had a few days off and played a bit of golf. Also, Vienna is a city and a tournament I really enjoy. Today I felt good physically and had a good sense of energy. That hasn't been a problem."

Planning his vacation and next year's calendar

"My plan will be exactly the same as always. I will take ten days off and then start preparing. I will go on vacation to the Maldives, something that probably doesn’t surprise anyone anymore because I go every year. After that, I’ll start preparing for the new season."

"I won't have an especially long preparation, that's clear, but it will be the same length as last year. In that sense, it won't change too much. I hope that this year our participation in the Davis Cup lasts a couple of days longer than last season."

Supremacy of ATP 500 over Masters 1000

"Truthfully, at this moment, the ATP 500 tournaments seem personally more interesting to me than the Masters 1000, if I look at it from the perspective of a spectator and tennis fan."

"Just today we had Alcaraz against Khachanov and Tommy Paul against Rublev. Matches of this level in a Masters 1000, you would normally only see in the second week, starting from the third round."

"Before, the Masters 1000 offered precisely this kind of matchups from the first rounds. That's why, just as a tennis fan, it seems incredibly interesting to me."

The reflections of Alexander Zverev must be taken more seriously than ever as the role of world number 1 he will soon hold entails a role as a global spokesperson for the sport, which carries great responsibility. Pointing out how the Masters 1000 have lost interest due to the expansion of the draws is a clear call to attention for the ATP.

This is an automatic translation. You can read the original news, Zverev alucina con el nivel de Landaluce y lanza un mensaje subliminal a la ATP