Zverev Set to Reach World No. 1

Alexander Zverev has earned the world No. 1 ranking for the first time in his career after more than a decade of disappointments, controversies and injuries. The 29-year-old German will reach this milestone when the rankings are updated on Monday. He won two Grand Slam titles in a row this year.

Finishing the year at No. 1 had been almost certain. Jannik Sinner, who won the Finals last year, ended his season early due to injury, which opened the way for Zverev. But Zverev sealed it early. At the Vienna Open, he beat Dutch opponent Tallon Griekspoor, collected the points he needed and reached the quarterfinals.

Zverev described this feeling as different from winning a tournament. In his view, seeing his name next to the number one when the new ranking is announced is a very special feeling. He will be the 30th male player to reach the top since rankings began to be published in 1973. Apart from John Newcombe, who was 30 when he first reached the top, no older player has risen to this position.

Born in Hamburg, Zverev's mother and father had played tennis at a high level in the former Soviet Union. The player says he owes his family a great debt for where he stands today. Talked about as a future star since his youth, Zverev's path has never been easy. A diabetic, the tennis player suffered an ankle injury at the 2022 French Open that threatened his career.

The most serious issues on Zverev's agenda are allegations of domestic violence. His former partners Olga Sharypova and Brenda Patea have made these allegations. Zverev strongly denies them. The ATP Tour reviewed Sharypova's allegation and found no sufficient evidence to punish the player. A case related to Patea, the mother of his child, ended in 2023 with a penal order and a fine from a German court.