Zverev secures year-end number one ranking

After Carlos Alcaraz’s unexpected loss in the Shanghai Masters, it became certain that Alexander Zverev would conclude the 2026 season as the world's top-ranked player. Initially, Zverev was set to surpass his current world number one rival, Jannik Sinner, whose knee injury has ruled him out for the rest of the year. However, Alcaraz still had a chance to prevent Zverev from reaching the top until he was defeated by Belgium’s Zizou Bergs 7-5 7-6 (7-4) in the third round on Monday.

Expressing his delight, Zverev remarked, "It's been a fantastic season for me. Knowing that I will finish the year on top of the rankings is just a dream come true." Following a three-year period with no major titles, Zverev achieved his first Grand Slam victory by winning the French Open in June and followed it up with a win at the US Open last month.

The German player has seized the opportunity presented by the injuries of Spanish sensation Alcaraz and Italian powerhouse Sinner to become the leading player on the ATP Tour. Zverev cannot overtake Sinner until at least 2 November at the year's end. This accomplishment will make Zverev the first German man to secure the number one ranking and the oldest player to achieve it for the first time since his comeback from a severe ankle injury in the 2022 French Open semi-finals in 2022. He has been in the top four continuously since March 2024.

At the start of the year, it appeared improbable that anyone other than Alcaraz or Sinner would finish the season as the world number one. Zverev started the year with 5,110 points, significantly lower than Alcaraz's 12,050 and Sinner's 11,500. Nevertheless, as the season approached its conclusion, Zverev overcame the odds and secured the top position. While he acknowledged that his rivals' injuries might have been a factor in his success, Zverev emphasized that he only beats who is in front of him.