Top 30 Depth Greater Now Than Big 4 Era

By Richard Pagliaro | @Tennis_Now | Tuesday, April 29, 2025
Photo credit: BMW Munich Open Facebook

The ATP’s Top 30 is tougher to crack today than in the Big 4 era, says Alexander Zverev.

World No. 2 Zverev, who owns multiple career wins over Novak Djokovic, Rafael Nadal and Roger Federer, said Top 30 depth is greater today than it was when he first cracked the Top 10 in August of 2017.

“It’s much more difficult. The depth of players is much more,” Zverev said after falling to world No. 21 Francisco Cerundolo 7-5, 6-3 in Madrid today. “Before when, I remember when I got to the top 10 first time was 2017, it was eight years ago.

“Yes, the top 10 was very strong, and we had the four best players in the world with Novak, Rafa, Roger, Andy, Stan, you know, del Potro and all those guys, but the level from, I would say, 10 to 20 and then 20 to 30 was much lower than it is now.”

Australian Open finalist Zverev said while Djokovic, Nadal and Federer are iconic champions, the depth at the top is tougher now.

“Yes, the top of the top was unbelievable, but the depth now is much more,” Zverev said.