SHANGHAI (AP) — Alexander Zverev has secured the year-end No. 1 ranking, capping a remarkable year in which he won his first two Grand Slam titles. The ATP Tour confirmed that, due to a season-ending injury to Jannik Sinner, the 29-year-old Zverev will become the oldest player to achieve this honor for the first time.
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Currently ranked No. 2, Zverev will surpass Sinner, currently ranked No. 1, before the season concludes next month, with Nov. 2 being the earliest possible date for this change. He is guaranteed the top position by the final rankings on Nov. 23.
Zverev’s path to the No. 1 ranking was solidified after No. 3 Carlos Alcaraz lost to Zizou Bergs at the Shanghai Masters. This year, Zverev captured the French Open and U.S. Open titles, and also reached the semifinals of the Australian Open and the final of Wimbledon. Prior to 2023, his best Grand Slam results consisted of three finals.
“It’s been a fantastic season for me winning in Paris and New York and knowing that I will finish the year on top of the rankings is just a dream come true,” Zverev stated. He reflected on the effort needed to reach this goal, particularly after his recovery from a severe right ankle injury during the 2022 French Open semifinal against Rafael Nadal, which left him in a wheelchair.
Zverev is scheduled to face Alexander Bublik in Shanghai on Tuesday. Sinner has not competed since his victory over Zverev in the Wimbledon final in July and recently announced he will be sidelined for the remainder of the season due to inflammation in his right knee.
In 2024, Zverev finished as the year-end No. 2 for the first time.
Zverev's rise to the top ranking has occurred amid allegations of physical abuse from two ex-girlfriends. One case was resolved with an agreement between German prosecutors and Zverev's former partner, while the ATP Tour investigated another case and determined in January 2023 that there was insufficient evidence.