Alexander Zverev blasts the ATP ranking system as "absurd." Stefanos Tsitsipas has a different point of view.
Pointing out he was a US Open finalist, a Rolex Paris Masters finalist and won successive titles in Cologne last year, Zverev called it absurd that he is ranked No. 7 behind sixth-ranked Roger Federer, who was sidelined for 13 months recovering from double arthroscopic surgery to his right knee. Last week, Federer edged Dan Evans in Doha in his first match in 405 days.
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"I am the biggest Roger Federer fan, but he has not played for a year and is ranked higher than me," said Zverev, who split with Federer's Team8 Management earlier this year. "I played a Grand Slam final, a Masters 1000 final. The system is just a disaster."
Asked his reaction to Zverev's comments, Tsitsipas said he understands the US Open finalist's complaint, but believes it is a "fair system" and all comes down to player performance in the end.
"I understand Zverev's point of view and what he means," Tsitsipas told the media in Acapulco at his Abierto Mexicano Telcel Open presser. "At the same time there is a fair ranking system that compensates players who have been doing great results, but in the end it is in us to improve in the rankings and we have had the opportunity to do so in the months when Federer has not played and I was finally able to pass it.
"It's not important to look at these kinds of issues but to focus more on our performance rather than waiting for someone to come down."
The Australian Open semifinalist said he has no interest in ATP politics and trusts the players on the ATP Player Council to make the right call when it comes to issues including ranking.
"I don't like paying attention to this kind of thing," Tsitsipas said. "Some things aren't as fair as others, but the system is who it is. We players, I think we have nothing to do with this system.
"I'm going to be honest, I'm not interested in being part of any ATP committee or council, it's their job and they know what they're doing, they're building everything for the players. It's obvious that some players represent us all and our interests, so I'm going to leave it to them."
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