Alexander Zverev has made a very big mistake that will surely fire up Jannik Sinner and Carlos Alcaraz even more

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Alexander Zverev is through to the last 32 at the Shanghai Masters after beating Valentin Royer in straight sets.

After the match, he caused a bit of a stir with some comments he’s made regarding Carlos Alcaraz and Jannik Sinner.

Zverev suggested that the conditions on the ATP Tour are made to benefit the world’s top two players, which seems a little bit unfair.

Sinner has already responded to Zverev in the wake of his claims, and they might not have been the brightest move that the German has ever made.

• READ MORE: Alexander Zverev and Daniil Medvedev given great opportunity

Alexander Zverev might have just wound up Carlos Alcaraz and Jannik Sinner

Zverev has been struggling with his fitness of late, and perhaps a pretty underwhelming year is starting to catch up with the world number three.

After his win over Royer, he admitted that he hates what tennis has become and seemingly took aim at Sinner and Alcaraz with his response.

He said: “I hate when it’s the same. I think the tournament directors are going towards that direction because they want Jannik Sinner and Carlos Alcaraz to do well at every tournament, and that’s what they prefer.”

Zverev would be wise to focus this sort of energy on coming up with a plan to win tournaments and ultimately beat the likes of Alcaraz and Sinner when the opportunity comes around to play them.

The 28-year-old has been knocked out before the second week in two of the four Grand Slams this year, and this swipe at Alcaraz and Sinner feels a little bit needless.

Zverev can finish the year with a flourish

The last thing the tennis world needs is for Sinner and Alcaraz to become even more dominant, and Zverev might be guilty of poking the bear here.

Sinner and Alcaraz will now be more determined than ever when it comes to playing Zverev, and the German has done his chances of getting closer to them any time soon some harm.

Zverev will likely come up against at least one of the top two in the world at the ATP Finals in Turin, and he’s just given them both a real reason to want to beat him.

It’s interesting to see if any of the tournaments will now change things to be less accommodating towards Sinner and Alcaraz, with Zverev likely to be paying close attention.