Zverev Wins in Vienna and Will Become World No. 1

At 29 years old, Alexander Zverev has guaranteed he will reach the top of world tennis with his win in Vienna. This season he reached the French Open and US Open finals, and in the new rankings to be announced on Monday he will become Germany's second men's No. 1 after Boris Becker. He closed out the match with an ace, and at the ceremony held on court afterwards, Thomas Muster, the only Austrian player to have reached this peak, was also present.

Zverev knows this achievement has not been easy. He will be the 30th men's player to reach No. 1 since the rankings began in 1973. He said that winning a tournament and rising to world No. 1 carry different feelings. Still, he said he finds it very special that a number one will be written next to his name in the rankings.

Zverev acknowledges that his rivals' injuries have also played a part in his rise. Jannik Sinner, who shared all the Grand Slam titles over the past two seasons, ended his season in early October due to a knee injury. Third-ranked Carlos Alcaraz, meanwhile, took the court in Vienna on the same day and beat Nikoloz Basilashvili after saving four set points.

Zverev's path to the top has been full of obstacles for years. In the 2022 French Open semifinal against Rafael Nadal, he tore ligaments in his ankle and had to miss the rest of the season. This time, he said, he got the result he had hoped for, and described how emotionally intense this year has been for him.