Tennis News Roundup: Novak Djokovic picked as the real World No. 3 and not Alexander Zverev; John Isner gives controversial take on tennis off-season amid fan pushback

A journalist opined that, instead of World No. 3 Alexander Zverev, Novak Djokovic is the best player after Carlos Alcaraz and Jannik Sinner. John Isner sounded off on the way players misuse the off-season, urging them to rest more.

After the Bondi Beach shooting attack, tennis fans recalled how the Australian government deported Djokovic in 2022, but couldn't keep out shooters. Emmanuelle Girard revealed shocking details regarding abuse when she was 14. Ben Shelton and his girlfriend, Trinity Rodman, turn heads at the latter's NWSL teammate, Tara McKeown.

Let's find out more about the stories of the day:

#1. "Zverev is No. 3, but in reality, it's Djokovic” - Journalist

Journalist and tennis insider Steve Flink has opined that, although Alexander Zverev is the World No. 3, Novak Djokovic is the third-best player behind Carlos Alcaraz and Jannik Sinner.

A member of the International Tennis Hall of Fame, Flink recently appeared on the "Court-Side with Beilinson Tennis" podcast and said:

“Yes, we have a Big 2 with Alcaraz and Sinner, but in my opinion, we have a remarkable Big 3 with Novak Djokovic. Forget Zverev in this ranking; it makes no sense. Djokovic beat Zverev at Roland Garros, had a better year than him, and reached four Grand Slam semi-finals, three of them after turning 38. It's certainly quite difficult for him, even if he's not at his peak, to compete with Carlos and Jannik."

"But he beat Carlos at the Australian Open. He's still far better than all the other players on the tour. He simply has an age problem with Sinner and Alcaraz, and also a problem with head-to-head record against Sinner. That's how I see it: on paper, Zverev is No. 3, but in reality, it's Djokovic," he added.

Zverev finished the 2025 season with a 57-25 record, winning his lone title at the ATP 500 BMW Open. Djokovic, on the other hand, won 39 out of 50 matches and pocketed a couple of ATP 250 titles in Geneva and Athens.

#2. "Off-season is so overrated" - John Isner

Quite a few fans and experts have pointed out that the majority of players are playing a lot of exhibition matches in the ongoing off-season. They believe that players should rest their bodies before the grueling 2026 season begins.

Speaking on the latest episode of the "Nothing Major" podcast, former player John Isner shared his point of view, saying:

“This might be a controversial take, but the off-season is so overrated. Once you’ve sort of established yourself, when you get to your late 20s, you’re not re-inventing the wheel; you just need to maintain and keep yourself healthy. Obviously, be really professional, but you don’t need to absolutely kill yourself during the course of three weeks. Work hard, sleep well, eat well, and just get ready for the next year." (24:00)

“If you’re 20 and you’re new on tour, yes, you need to get your body stronger. At the beginning of your career, the off-season is very important to get that base, but once you’ve established yourself, it’s about maintaining and keeping things smooth, taking care of yourself. Treatment becomes just as important as the gym work and the work on the court," he added.

#3. Netizens bring back Novak Djokovic's deportation after Australia's shooting attack

On Sunday, December 14, a father-son duo opened fire at Australia's Bondi Beach near Sydney, killing at least 15. They were targeting the Jewish community at a Hanukkah event. Amid criticism from around the world, Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese has promised action regarding gun laws.

Meanwhile, an X post showed two photos, the younger shooter in the first and Novak Djokovic in the second, with the user writing, "One of these men was banned from Australia."

Ahead of the 2022 Australian Open, the Serb was deported for refusing to take the COVID-19 vaccine. The controversy divided the entire world, and Djokovic missed out on multiple tournaments.

#4. "He manipulated us" - French tennis player recalls abusive coach during teenage days

During an interview with L'Equipe, Emmanuelle Girard spoke about a coach who used to psychologically and verbally abuse teenage girls in France. Girard recalled receiving an offer to improve her game at the Regional Center for Sports Resources, Expertise, and Performance when she was 14.

However, what followed was unimaginable.

"One day, he said to me, 'I can hear you're on your period. When you walk, I can hear your pad flexing.' I was 15, he was 42 or 43. He also told us his sex stories. To another girl, he said, 'You should shave your legs and armpits.' She was 14. In fact, he wanted to mold us in his own image. He used fear, he manipulated us," Girard said.

The now-26-year-old chose not to name the coach.

#5. Ben Shelton and girlfriend Trinity Rodman impress with their outfits at NWSL star's wedding

Ben Shelton and Trinity Rodman have reportedly been dating since March 2025. Rodman is a professional soccer player in the US national team and NWSL's Washington Spirit. The couple recently attended one of Rodman's Spirit teammates, Tara McKeown's, wedding.

Their stylish outfits made them stand out, as Rodman posted a few photos from the ceremony on Instagram on Sunday.