Germany’s Alexander Zverev is set to become the new world No. 1 in men’s tenniscapping a year in which he won two Grand Slams.
Zverev is the second German man, after Boris Becker, to clinch the top spot in the sport. Becker reached No.1 some 35 years ago.
Zverev replaces Italy’s Jannik Sinner, who previously held the world’s No. 1 spot.
Zverev got there by reaching the quarterfinals of the Erste Bank Open in Vienna this week.
The 29-year-old is the second-oldest first-time No. 1 ranked player after Australian John Newcombe achieved the feat at age 30 in 1974.
“(It is) very special. To have the feeling to be on the top of the world is amazing,” Zverev said.
“It is different than winning a tournament or a title, but it’s such a special feeling to know that the No. 1 is going to be next to your name when the new rankings come out.”
Among German female tennis players, only Steffi Graf and Angelique Kerber have achieved this in the WTA rankings.
Two Grand Slams in 2026
Zverev’s career had long been defined by getting close to Grand Slam titles but never quite reaching the pinnacle, facing stiff competition from Sinner and Spanish talent Carlos Alcaraz.
But he finally had its broke through this year, when he won the Grand Slam at both the French and US Opens.
Known for his consistency, he was just the ninth man to reach at least the semifinals at all four majors in the same season.
The Hamburg-born Zverev also won a gold medal in the 2021 Olympics.
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Source: www.dw.com
