Zverev secures first year-end No. 1 after Grand Slam breakthrough

Alexander Zverev has secured the year-end world No. 1 ranking for the first time, capping a season in which he won his first two Grand Slam titles. At 29, he will be the oldest player to achieve the year-end honour for the first time, according to the ATP Tour.

The German won the French Open and US Open, reached the Wimbledon final and made the Australian Open semifinals. Before this season, his best results at the sport’s four major tournaments had been three appearances in finals.

His year-end position became certain when Carlos Alcaraz lost to Belgium’s Zizou Bergs at the Shanghai Masters. Current No. 1 Jannik Sinner’s absence also helped settle the race: the Italian has not played since winning Wimbledon and has ended his season because of inflammation in his right knee.

Zverev is still ranked second. He could take over the top spot as early as November 2 and is mathematically assured of leading the season’s final rankings on November 23.

The achievement follows his recovery from a serious right ankle injury suffered during the 2022 French Open semifinal against Rafael Nadal. Reflecting on the milestone, Zverev credited the work behind his comeback and described finishing the year at No. 1 as a long-held dream fulfilled.