Alexander Zverev reveals which lefties are stepping up as Rafael Nadal's successors on tour after beating Ben Shelton at ATP Finals

Alexander Zverev recently spoke up about the left-handed men's tennis players who, in his opinion, have upped their game following the end of Rafael Nadal's stellar career. Nadal, arguably the most devastating leftie of his generation, bid an emotional farewell to his tennis-playing career after a rather disappointing outing for Spain at the 2024 Davis Cup Finals.

Zverev, currently in Turin, Italy for the 2025 ATP Finals, began his campaign at the year-end event on a winning note, as he registered a 6-3, 7-6(6) Round Robin phase victory against Ben Shelton, the highest-ranked left-handed men's singles player in the world right now. Later, the German attended a post-match press conference, where he brought up the now-retired Nadal as he reflected on facing lefties.

"After Rafa, there was a period where there weren't any top-10 players who were lefties," the World No. 3 said.

Alexander Zverev went on to name the likes of Ben Shelton, Jack Draper, Ugo Humbert and Learner Tien, who have all established themselves as feared left-handed players. Both Shelton and Draper also happen to be the German's ATP top 10 rivals. Meanwhile, Humbert is currently ranked No. 37 and Tien, the rapidly-rising teenager from the USA, has cracked the top 30.

"Now of course with Draper and Ben Shelton, also Humbert, he can play amazing. There are some good lefties again. Learner Tien is playing amazing tennis as well. So I think there are great tennis players, as well," the German added.

Alexander Zverev sheds light on how growing up practicing with elder brother Mischa helps him in facing lefties nowadays

Alexander Zverev celebrates his Round Robin phase win over Ben Shelton (not in picture) at the 2025 Nitto ATP Finals (Source: Getty)

In the same press conference, Alexander Zverev touched on growing up with his elder brother Mischa, a former World No. 25, who played left-handed. According to Zverev, practicing regularly with his elder brother aided him in performing well against lefties, who are widely regarded as tricky players because of their atypical shotmaking as well as their different groundstroke angles and spin.

"I grew up with a lefty with my brother. I was practicing with him all my life. If you talk about a typical lefty, he could not be more of a typical lefty if you try. With his serve, how he was playing his slice, how he's playing tennis, it was the most lefty game possible. I kind of got used to it. Maybe it helps me now," Zverev said.

Interestingly, it was Alexander Zverev who ended Rafael Nadal's French Open career last year, with the German defeating the Spaniard 6-3, 7-6(4), 6-3 in the first round.

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Edited by Sudipto Pati