Since 2020, Zverev has lost in three Grand Slam finals, yet he tops another ranking.

When it comes to German male tennis player Alexander Zverev, many are well acquainted with him. Back in May 2017, he secured his first Masters title at the Rome Masters, becoming the first player born in the 1990s to do so. Following that, Zverev has made several pioneering accomplishments for his generation. For instance, he is the first 90s-born player to win the year-end finals twice consecutively and the only one from his generation to claim an Olympic gold medal.

However, few might know that on another leaderboard, he is the only 90s-born player to rank within the top six. So, what exactly is this ranking? Who are the players in the top six? Today, this article will take you through the details.

This ranking lists players who have never won a Grand Slam title but have accumulated the most match wins in Grand Slam main draws. Czech player Radek Stepanek, who won the Paris Masters, currently holds the top spot. From his debut in Grand Slam main draws at the 2003 US Open until his retirement announcement in 2019, Stepanek reached only one Grand Slam final at Wimbledon in 2010, where he was defeated by Spain’s Rafael Nadal. Despite this, Stepanek amassed 146 Grand Slam match wins—an unmatched record to this day.

In second place is Spanish player David Ferrer, who is slightly older than Stepanek. Ferrer began his Grand Slam main draw career at the 2003 Australian Open and, like Stepanek, only won one Masters title—the Paris Masters. He reached the French Open final in 2013 but was soundly defeated by Nadal at Roland Garros. With 145 wins, Ferrer ranks second on this list.

Third place belongs to French player Gaël Monfils, who won three junior Grand Slam titles in 2004. Monfils is still active on the Grand Slam circuit but has never reached a Grand Slam final or won a Masters title. Nonetheless, he has achieved 130 match wins in Grand Slam main draws, securing his third-place position.

Fourth place is another French player, Jo-Wilfried Tsonga. From his Grand Slam debut in 2005 until his retirement in 2022, Tsonga reached the Australian Open final in 2008. Unfortunately, after taking the first set, he was overturned by Novak Djokovic in the final, which marked Djokovic’s first Grand Slam title. Although Tsonga has 121 Grand Slam match wins, he did claim two Masters titles during his career.

Fifth place is occupied by the German player mentioned earlier, Alexander Zverev. Since he began competing in Grand Slam main draws in 2015, he has won 118 matches at this level. Still under thirty, Zverev continues to compete on the Grand Slam stage. Honestly, given his current form, surpassing Tsonga and Monfils in match wins may be just a matter of time.

In sixth place is French player Richard Gasquet, who started his Grand Slam journey in 2002. However, Gasquet has never won a tour-level title above ATP 250. He has recorded 117 wins in Grand Slam main draws, placing him awkwardly in sixth position.

Now, the Grand Slam dream for this post-95 star Zverev is still ongoing. Will he be able to break this ranking curse in the future? Let’s wait and see! That’s today’s tennis story; more to come tomorrow.(Source: Tennis Home; Author: Yixin Jushi)