Alexander Zverev arrived at the Lindner Family Tennis Center in Mason this week as the Cincinnati Open's top seed, a reigning Grand Slam champion and the clear frontrunner in a field missing the world's top two players.

The 29-year-old German, who won his first major title at Roland Garros in June with a five-set victory over Flavio Cobolli, said the trophy hasn't changed who he is. It has, however, added a layer of belief.

"I don't know if I've changed, but there's some confidence that comes with winning a Grand Slam," Zverev said in the Cincinnati Open's draw release coverage published Wednesday, Aug. 12. "It's great, but it's a little bit in the past now. I'm here to hopefully play well and do well on the hard courts. I'm trying to get ready, get back in my best form before the US Open."

Zverev's path back to Mason comes with a bump. He lost in the first round of the Canadian Open in Montreal to Tallon Griekspoor, a result he acknowledged in the same article while saying he still wants to "compete against the best" and hopes to "play better than I did in Canada."

The absence of world No. 1 Jannik Sinner (right knee injury) and No. 2 Carlos Alcaraz (wrist) leaves Zverev as the top-seeded player at the $9.4 million event, which runs through Aug. 23. He won the Cincinnati title in 2021 and knows the facility well.

Zverev also addressed the renovated campus at his Tuesday, Aug. 11 press conference, praising the $260 million expansion that drew a record 285,000 fans last year and earned ATP and WTA Tournament of the Year honors. Tournament officials expect more than 300,000 visitors this year.

Another press conference topic: Novak Djokovic's longevity. The 39-year-old Serb, seeded third, is a three-time Cincinnati champion (2018, 2020, 2023) who hasn't lost a match at this event in his last 10 appearances dating to 2020, according to tournament records. Zverev and Djokovic landed in the same half of the draw and could meet in the semifinals.

Zverev opens against either Cameron Norrie or Dino Prizmic. Main draw play began Thursday, Aug. 13, with the men's singles final set for Sunday, Aug. 23.