Vienna: Alexander Zverev has secured the world No. 1 ranking for the first time after beating the Netherlands’ Tallon Griekspoor to reach the Vienna Open quarter finals, according to an AFP report published by Dawn.
The 29 year old German earned the points needed on Thursday and will officially take the top spot when the rankings are updated on Monday.
Zverev had already been assured of finishing the year as No. 1 after Jannik Sinner ended his season early through injury. The Vienna victory brought forward his move to the top.
He will become the 30th man to lead the rankings since their introduction in 1973. Only John Newcombe, who was 30 when he first reached No. 1 in 1974, was older on his debut at the top.
Zverev described the achievement as a special feeling, distinct from winning a tournament, and said it was remarkable to know his name would appear alongside the No. 1 ranking.
From injury setback to Grand Slam success
Born in Hamburg to parents who both played high level tennis in the former Soviet Union, Zverev was identified as a leading prospect early in his career.
He reached his first Grand Slam final at the 2020 US Open but lost to Dominic Thiem in five sets after winning the opening two.
At the Tokyo Olympics in 2021, he defeated Novak Djokovic in the semi finals before beating Karen Khachanov to win singles gold.
His progress was interrupted at the 2022 French Open, where he tore ankle ligaments during his semi-final against Rafael Nadal and subsequently underwent surgery.
Zverev returned to competition in January 2023 and won his 20th career title in Hamburg that year. He reached the French Open final in 2024 and climbed back to world No. 2.
A third defeat in a Grand Slam final followed at the 2025 Australian Open, where Sinner beat him in straight sets. This season, however, Zverev won his first two major titles, including the US Open in September.
Zverev, who lives with diabetes, said he had continued to believe a Grand Slam breakthrough was possible despite his previous setbacks.
Allegations and legal proceedings
His career has also been accompanied by domestic violence allegations from former partners Olga Sharypova and Brenda Patea, which he has denied.
An ATP investigation into Sharypova’s allegations found insufficient evidence to impose disciplinary sanctions.
The case involving Patea, the mother of his daughter, resulted in a German court issuing a penalty order and fine in 2023. Zverev challenged the order, and the proceedings ended in a settlement in June 2024.
