Few players have waited as long or come as close as many times before finally reaching the top. For one German star, the long climb is finally complete.
Alexander Zverev rose to the No. 1 ranking in men’s tennis for the first time Monday, Nov. 2, 2026, capping a season in which he won two Grand Slam titles.
How did Alexander Zverev reach the No. 1 ranking?
Zverev, 29, beat Flavio Cobolli in June to win the French Open in his fourth major final. In September, he defeated Ben Shelton to win the U.S. Open. He had lost his first three major finals, including the 2024 French Open final to Carlos Alcaraz.
He also reached the Wimbledon final, losing to Jannik Sinner, and the semifinals of the Australian Open. He has won 65 matches and lost 17 this year and is guaranteed to finish the season at No. 1.
The titles erased a label that had followed him for years, when many considered him the best player never to win a Grand Slam. He had been ranked in the top 10 for most of the past decade.
What has followed Zverev’s rise?
Zverev, who first reached No. 2 more than four years ago, said he had to wait but that sometimes the best things in life take time. He said he was very happy and thrilled. The milestone came after years of near misses at the biggest events.
His rise to the top comes after two former girlfriends accused him of physical abuse. Zverev has denied the allegations. One case, from 2020, was resolved through an agreement between German prosecutors, his lawyers and the former partner. The ATP investigated another case and concluded in January 2023 that there was insufficient evidence.
How historic is Zverev’s No. 1 ranking?
Zverev is the 30th man to hold the No. 1 ranking and the oldest player in more than 50 years to reach it for the first time. Only John Newcombe, who was 30 when he got there in 1974, was older.
He is just the second German man to hold the No. 1 ranking, joining Boris Becker.
His other major titles include two ATP Finals championships, an Olympic gold medal in singles and seven Masters 1000 trophies, the tier just below the majors. He won the Olympic gold at the Tokyo Games in 2021.
What happened to Jannik Sinner?
Sinner, who had held the No. 1 ranking since April 13, dropped to second, just ahead of Carlos Alcaraz. He ended his season three weeks ago because of inflammation in his right knee. Sinner and Alcaraz have dominated the sport in recent years, splitting most of the major titles between them.
Zverev will play his first tournament with the No. 1 ranking at the Paris Masters this week, after an upset loss in the Vienna semifinals. The tournament is one of the last big events before the ATP Finals in Turin.
Zverev, who was diagnosed with Type 1 diabetes at age 4, has spoken publicly about managing the condition while competing at the highest level.
Who else moved up the rankings?
Spain’s Rafael Jodar, 20, climbed to No. 10 less than a year after making his tour debut at the Australian Open. His rise from debut to the top 10 took 287 days, a record that broke Gustavo Kuerten’s mark of 490 days. Jodar has quickly become one of the most exciting young players in the sport.
For Alexander Zverev, the No. 1 ranking marks the peak of a career that was long defined by near misses. Now he has a chance to add to his legacy at the ATP Finals.
