Zverev Poised to Become World No. 1 at Shanghai Masters

If Zverev wins, he will become the 30th player in ATP history to achieve the No. 1 ranking on November 2, regardless of the outcome of the final or his participation in Vienna. Currently, Jannik Sinner, who is out for the rest of the season, holds 10,950 points and will drop 500 following the Vienna tournament. A victory for Zverev would elevate his points to 10,320, and he holds a strong 6-1 advantage in their head-to-head encounters.

This week confirmed Zverev’s year-end No. 1 status, making him the first player to reach this milestone without having held the mark previously. After defeating Kazakhstan's Alexander Bublik (7-6, 4-6, 7-6) in the fourth round, Zverev noted, "For now, I’m No. 2 in the world still, funny enough."

Zverev expressed that the emotional impact of the ranking would only truly hit when it reflects next to his name, stating, "I think the emotions come when you actually see the No. 1 next to your name. I think that will be, for sure, something special." He acknowledged receiving congratulatory messages from friends.

Despite his success, Zverev maintains a focus on winning through his performance on the court. He leads the ATP Tour with 62 match victories this season and captured titles at both Roland Garros and the US Open, making history as the first German man to win the Roland Garros title in the Open Era.

In discussing his concentration during matches, Zverev mentioned missing distractions like social media while competing. He recalled a moment at the US Open when he was reminded about the shot clock by the chair umpire and noted he is making an effort to be more aware in subsequent matches.

He also disclosed challenges with his right ankle, which he injured during the 2022 Roland Garros semifinal against Rafael Nadal. He first felt discomfort during his third-round match against France’s Quentin Halys and said the pain escalated during his match against Bublik. Zverev emphasized, "I don’t want to retire with no reason," referring to his past experience with injuries.

The Shanghai tournament holds significance for Zverev, who previously reached the final in 2019, losing to Daniil Medvedev. After the Shanghai Masters, he plans to compete in Vienna and the Rolex Paris Masters, leading up to the Nitto ATP Finals in Turin from November 15 to 22, where he has already qualified.