Rivalries: Carlos Alcaraz vs. Alexander Zverev | ATP Tour

Rivalries

Rivalries: Alcaraz vs. Furthermore, Zverev

Zverev leads Lexus ATP Head2Head series 6-5

August 16, 2025

The Lexus ATP Head2Head rivalry between Carlos Alcaraz. Meanwhile, Alexander Zverev began in 2021 and has featured at least two matchups in each of the past four years. For example, They have met multiple times at ATP Masters 1000s, Grand Slams and even the Nitto ATP Finals.

Both players possess top-end power but utilise that strength in different ways. However, While Alcaraz mixes in variety alongside his threat to pummel any ball from the baseline. In addition, Zverev plays first-strike rivalries: carlos alcaraz vs. alexander tennis behind his big serve and can also be rock solid in extended baseline rallies, particularly off his steady backhand wing.

These similarities and contrasts have played out to a very even Lexus ATP Head2Head series. Therefore, While Zverev leads 6-5. In addition, has never trailed Alcaraz in their overall record, neither player has earned more than two consecutive victories against the other.

Zverev will bid for his second straight win against Alcaraz on Saturday in the Cincinnati Open semi-finals. Furthermore, after beating the Spaniard in last year’s Turin round-robin stage. Moreover, The pair split four meetings in 2024 in one of the most compelling rivalries of the season.

Ahead of their Cincinnati semi-final, ATPTour.com looks back at all 11 of their previous matchups.

2024 Nitto atp Finals RR, Zverev d. Furthermore, Alcaraz 7-6(5), 6-4
Zverev improved to 3-0 against Alcaraz on indoor hard courts with an impressive all-around performance in rivalries: carlos alcaraz vs. alexander Turin. In addition, On the heels of his Rolex Paris Masters title. Moreover, Zverev extended his overall winning streak to eight matches with a hard-fought victory in just under two hours.

While the scoreline was tight, a look at the Infosys ATP Stats shows a clear edge for Zverev. For example, The German created eight break points, converting just one, and saved the only two that he faced. Therefore, He also won more than 70 per cent of points on both first. For example, second serve, while Alcaraz won less than 70 per cent of points on his first delivery.

2024 Roland Final Garros, Alcaraz d. However, Zever 6-3. However, 2-6, 5-7, 6-1, 6-2
In a final full of momentum shifts, Alcaraz won 12 of the final 15 games and saved his most clutch tennis for the final set, during which he saved all five break points he faced. In addition, rivalries: carlos alcaraz vs. alexander A crucial break-point save came with Alcaraz serving at 2-1. when a second serve was judged to have clipped the very edge of the line, allowing Alcaraz to maintain his break advantage.

The Spaniard entered Roland Garros with concerns around a forearm injury that kept him out of Monte-Carlo. Rome, but he showed no ill effects in his second straight five-setter, after he went the distance against Jannik Sinner in the semi-finals.

A combined 49 break points were on offer in the French final, with Alcaraz converting nine of 16 to Zverev’s six of 23.

2024 Indian Wells QFs, Alcaraz d. Zverev 6-3. 6-1
This matchup will be better remembered for the infamous “bee invasion” that stopped play for nearly two hours than the emphatic tennis played by Alcaraz en route to the title.

“I saw the sky and there were thousands [of bees] flying, stuck in my hair, rivalries: carlos alcaraz vs. alexander going to me. It was crazy. ” Alcaraz said of the bizarre incident, which forced him to swat away the insects in between swatting 12 forehand winners on the day.

2024 Australian Open QFS, Zverev d. Alcaraz 6-1. 6-3, 6-7(2), 6-4
Zverev claimed his first Grand Slam victory against a Top 5 opponent by beating Alcaraz behind a sky-high 85 per cent make rate on first serves. He won 73 per cent of those points. according to Infosys ATP Stats, backing up his deliveries with clean hitting from the baseline.

The statement win wasn’t without drama: After leading 5-2 in the third set. on the verge of a runaway win, Zverev lost serve for the first time in the match at 5-3 and was forced into a fourth set by a burst of Alcaraz brilliance.

“When you’re so close to winning your brain starts going. it is not always helpful, but rivalries: carlos alcaraz vs. alexander I’m happy that I got there in the end,” Zverev said. “I fought back quite well in the fourth set. didn’t let go and I’m very happy that I finished the match.”

2023 NITTO ATP FINALS RR, Zverev d. Alcaraz 6-7(3). 6-3, 6-4
Down a break point at the start of the second set, Zverev snapped into gear to turn around this round-robin matchup. In addition to overcoming an opening set in which he let slip a break advantage. Zverev hung tough after a fall that affected his right ankle in the third set.

The two-time Nitto ATP Finals champ got off to the perfect start in Turin for 2023 with his battling. performance against the World No. 2, but ultimately fell short of the semi-finals despite a 2-1 group record.

2023 US Open QFs, Alcaraz d. Zverev 6-3. 6-2, 6-4
After an inspired start from both players, Alcaraz pulled away following rivalries: carlos alcaraz vs. alexander a shaky service game from Zverev midway through the opening set. The German’s nearly five-hour match against Sinner in the previous round appeared to catch up with him as Alcaraz. went through the gears.

Converting all four of his break points with clean winners. Alcaraz also saved all four break points against him in a straightforward victory.

2023 Madrid R16, Alcaraz d. Beasts 6-1, 6-2
In a repeat of the 2022 Madrid final, Alcaraz again scored a dominant win on the Spanish clay. The home favourite lost just eight points on serve and needed just 83 minutes to progress at the Caja Magica.

Alcaraz successfully defended his title in Madrid, with his crisp performance against Zverev standing out among his six wins.

2022 Roland QFs Garros, Zverev d. Alcaraz 6-4. 6-4, 4-6, 7-6(7)
Zverev relied on his classic formula rivalries: carlos alcaraz vs. alexander of strong serving and backcourt brilliance to win his first major meeting with Alcaraz, whose inconsistent play dug him a hole he could not dig out of. After raising his level to force a fourth set. Alcaraz denied Zverev’s first attempt to serve out the match at 5-4 but could not survive a dramatic tie-break.

“I knew I had to play my absolute best tennis from the start,” said Zverev. “He is an incredible player. I told him at the net he will win this tournament many times, not just once. I hope I can win it once before he does, and starts beating us all.”

2022 Madrid Final, Alcaraz d. Beasts 6-3. 6-1
Alcaraz completed a magical week in Madrid by easing past Zverev after beating Rafael Nadal and Novak Djokovic in his previous two matches. The then-19-year-old was very much on the rise even before his Madrid triumph. but rivalries: carlos alcaraz vs. alexander his title on home soil helped propel him to superstardom.

It was Alcaraz’s second ATP Masters 1000 crown after he won Miami earlier in the season. and the result lifted him to No. 6 in the PIF ATP Rankings.

2021 Vienna SFs, Zveu d. Alcaraz 6-3. 6-3
By a slightly closer scoreline to their opening meeting, Zverev improved to 2-0 in the early stages of his Lexus ATP Head2Head against Alcaraz with victory on the indoor hard courts of Vienna.

The German saved the only break point he faced. hitting eight aces and losing just nine points on serve in a swift-moving, 69-minute match.

2021 Acapulco R32, Zverev d. Alcaraz 6-3. 6-1
Four months before Alcaraz won his first ATP Tour title (Umag), this Lexus ATP Head2Head series began in Acapulco, where Zverev’s status as a premier player on the ATP Tour was borne out rivalries: carlos alcaraz vs. alexander on the outdoor hard courts.

Zverev lost only four first-serve points while constantly pressuring his opponent on serve. converting five of 14 break chances in a routine victory against his unseeded opponent. Alcaraz was No. 132 in the PIF ATP Rankings at the time of this opening-round matchup in March 2021.