After years of near-misses, injuries and painful Grand Slam finals, Alexander Zverev is the new world No. 1. The German secured the top spot in the ATP rankings by reaching the quarter-finals of the Erste Bank Open in Vienna, beating Tallon Griekspoor 6-4, 7-5. The ranking becomes official when the new list is published on Monday, 2 November 2026, ending Jannik Sinner’s run at the top.
Quick answer: Zverev’s win over Griekspoor in Vienna took him to 9,450 ranking points, level with Jannik Sinner. He takes No. 1 on the tiebreak rule because he has won two Grand Slams in the ranking period (Roland Garros and the US Open 2026) to Sinner’s one. He becomes the 30th man to reach No. 1 since rankings began in 1973, and the second German after Boris Becker in 1991.
How Zverev clinched No. 1 in Vienna
Zverev arrived in Vienna as the top seed with a simple task: reach the quarter-finals and the No. 1 ranking would be his. He beat Spain’s Martin Landaluce in the first round, then Tallon Griekspoor of the Netherlands in straight sets on Thursday evening. That result lifted him to 9,450 points, exactly level with Sinner.
When two players are tied on points, the ATP gives the higher ranking to the player with more Grand Slam titles in the counting period. Zverev’s two major titles this year beat Sinner’s one, so the German moves ahead.
The ATP had already confirmed that Zverev will finish 2026 as year-end No. 1. The Vienna result simply answered the question of when he would get there. Sinner’s season ended early because of a knee problem, which allowed Zverev to close the gap over the second half of the year.
Key facts
| Detail | Information |
|---|---|
| Official date | Monday, 2 November 2026 |
| Clinching match | Beat Tallon Griekspoor 6-4, 7-5 (Vienna, round of 16) |
| Ranking points | 9,450 (level with Jannik Sinner) |
| Tiebreak | More Grand Slam titles: Zverev 2, Sinner 1 |
| Milestone | 30th world No. 1 since 1973 |
| German No. 1s | Boris Becker (1991), Alexander Zverev (2026) |
| Age | 29 years, six months (born 20 April 1997, Hamburg) |
| 2026 majors | Roland Garros and US Open |
| Year-end No. 1 | Already confirmed |
“Sometimes you wait for the best things in life”
Zverev called the moment “very special” and said being “on top of the world” was amazing. Reflecting on how long it took, he said he had to wait, but that sometimes you wait for the best things in life. Looking back on his career, he added: “In the life of a professional athlete, you will have the highest highs and the lowest lows.”
The long road to the top
Zverev has been one of the best players in the world for almost a decade, but No. 1 kept slipping away.
- 2018 and 2021: Won the ATP Finals twice.
- 2020: Lost the US Open final after leading by two sets.
- 2021: Won Olympic singles gold at the Tokyo Games.
- 2022: Rose to world No. 2 and had a real shot at No. 1 after the French Open, until a severe ankle injury in his semi-final against Rafael Nadal ended his season.
- 2025: Lost the Australian Open final to Sinner.
- 2026: Finally won his first two Grand Slam titles, at Roland Garros and the US Open, and climbed back to No. 2 when Carlos Alcaraz missed time with a wrist injury.
He has done all this while managing type 1 diabetes, which he has spoken about openly and supports through his own foundation.
Records he sets
At 29 years and six months, Zverev becomes the second-oldest player to reach No. 1 for the first time, behind John Newcombe, who was 30 when he got there in 1974. He is also the first new member of the ATP No. 1 Club since Sinner joined in June 2024.
Controversy that still follows him
Zverev’s rise has not been free of controversy. He has faced domestic abuse allegations from two former partners, which he denies. The ATP found insufficient evidence to punish him over one claim. In the other case, a German court issued a penalty order and fine in 2023, and the matter was later settled. Expect those cases to come up again in coverage of his new status.
What’s next
Zverev still has a quarter-final in Vienna, where he faces Britain’s Arthur Fery. After that come the Paris Masters and the season-ending Nitto ATP Finals in Turin, where he will be the player to beat. With Sinner out injured and Alcaraz returning from his wrist problem, 2027 could be the start of a fresh era at the top of men’s tennis.
For more sports coverage, see our Ballon d’Or 2026 winners story.
Frequently asked questions
When does Zverev officially become No. 1?
The new ATP rankings, with Zverev at No. 1, are published on Monday, 2 November 2026.
Why does Zverev pass Sinner if they have the same points?
ATP rules break ties using Grand Slam titles in the ranking period. Zverev has two, Sinner has one.
How many Grand Slams has Zverev won?
Two, both in 2026: Roland Garros and the US Open.
Who was the last German No. 1?
Boris Becker, who reached No. 1 in 1991.
Is Zverev the oldest first-time No. 1?
No. He is the second-oldest, behind John Newcombe.
Sources: ATP Tour, Tennis365, SuperSport/AFP, BBC Sport, The New York Times.
