Zverev says ‘special’ feeling after ascent to world No 1

At the Paris Masters in Nanterre, Germany's Alexander Zverev secured the title of ATP rankings leader, expressing that the achievement brought him a special feeling as he looks forward to the Paris Masters. Raising to world No 1 was a unique experience for the 29-year-old German, who had been seen as a potential dominant force in men's tennis but had not won a Grand Slam until his victory at the French Open earlier in the year.

Zverev, who added the US Open to his trophy collection in September, highlighted the contrasting emotions associated with each milestone. He said that winning his first Grand Slam was a different kind of emotion, filled with heartbreaks, tough moments, and losses in finals. The World No 1 trophy, meanwhile, represented the culmination of a successful year-long campaign.

Zverev acknowledged that winning a Grand Slam is the pinnacle of achievement in tennis, but winning the Paris Masters required playing the best season of his career, which he described as a distinct and special feeling. Zverev will begin his Paris Masters journey on Wednesday against Italy's Lorenzo Musetti, a player he has lost three of their five previous encounters.