The tennis world has recently seen two major ranking moves with new names now sitting on top of both the men’s and women’s games. While the ascension to the top by Russian-born Kazakh Elena Rybakina – who also ensured she will finish the year as the No 1 women’s player – was met with plenty of accolades, the same has not been the case for the new men’s No 1 Alexander Zverev of Germany.

Zverev won the French Open and the US Open, putting to rest his tag as the best player yet to win a Grand Slam. He's guaranteed the year-end No 1 ranking, too.

And yet, the murmurs refuse to die down.

Previous world No 1 Jannik Sinner has been out injured since he beat Zverev in the Wimbledon final on July 12. The Italian announced the end of his season three weeks ago because of inflammation in his right knee.…