Toni Nadal has identified Alexander Zverev as a \u201cdangerous rival\u201d to Carlos Alcaraz and Jannik Sinner and claimed that the 28-year-old German is \u201cclearly better than\u201d Novak Djokovic.<\/p>\n
Zverev<\/a> fell to world No 1 and eventual champion Carlos Alcaraz in an epic Australian Open semi-final lasting five hours and 27 minutes.<\/p>\n The three-time Grand Slam finalist fought back from two sets to love down to force a decider, but he was unable to seal a sensational comeback as he let a 5-3 lead slip in the fifth set.<\/p>\n Sinner, the world No 2, was defeated in five sets by Djokovic<\/a> in a pulsating second semi-final at Melbourne Park.<\/p>\n Zverev dropped to fourth in the ATP Rankings this week, with Djokovic climbing to third.<\/p>\n Nadal \u2014 who coached his legendary nephew Rafael Nadal to 16 Grand Slam titles \u2014 argued Zverev is the biggest threat to the top two.<\/p>\n \u201cHe (Zverev) is a dangerous rival and, for me, he\u2019s clearly better than Djokovic is today,\u201d Nadal said during an appearance on the Onda Cero radio network.<\/p>\n Tennis News<\/p>\n Carlos Alcaraz GOAT debate declared \u2018ridiculous\u2019 as former British No 1 defends Novak Djokovic<\/a><\/p>\n Jack Draper makes claim about Carlos Alcaraz & Jannik Sinner causing his body to \u2018break down\u2019<\/a><\/p>\n Want more from Tennis365? Add us as a preferred source on Google to your favourites list<\/a> for tennis coverage you can trust.<\/p>\n \u201cBut he lacks the\u2026 if he, if Zverev had won that match (the Australian Open semi-final against Alcaraz), he probably would have won the final too.<\/p>\n \u201cIt would change him because it gives you extra confidence and takes away the pressure he has to win a Grand Slam.\u201d<\/p>\n Nadal added, though, that Zverev \u201chas a mental problem\u201d and is \u201cunder a lot of pressure to win a Grand Slam.\u201d<\/p>\n Toni Nadal criticised Carlos Alcaraz after the Australian Open<\/p>\n