Alexander Zverev clinched the ATP year-end no.1 ranking presented by PIF honours on Monday. Zverev will become the first German player to finish as year no.1 and he will be the oldest player to accomplish the feat for the first time after Andre Agassi and Andy Murray. The lanky player has had a fantastic season on the tour, winning his maiden Grand Slam title at Roland Garros after beating Italy’s Flavio Cobolli.
Zverev’s season got better to best when he secured the US Open title after beating home favorite Ben Shelton in the summit clash at the Arthur Ashe Stadium, New York. Now Zverev will gleefully embrace the number one ranking and he admitted there has never been a better feeling in his career.
“It’s been a fantastic season for me winning in Paris and New York and knowing that I will finish the year on top of the rankings is just a dream come true,” Zverev said. “So much work and effort have been put into achieving this goal, especially after coming back from the ankle injury. I look forward to finishing the season in style.”
Zverev has ticked the right boxes in 2026 and has delivered in the big tournaments. Earlier in the season, Zverev reached the semifinals of the Australian Open and also qualified for the Wimbledon final but could not cross the last hurdle against Jannik Sinner.
ATP Chairman Andrea Gaudenzi said: “Finishing the season as year-end No. 1 is the ultimate achievement in our sport. Congratulations to Sascha, who became just the 20th player to do so. For a decade, he has consistently been one of the best players in the world. To finish as year-end No. 1 for the first time aged 29 shows his grit and determination to continue pushing forward.”
The German is in the Round of 16 at the Rolex Shanghai Masters and he will face Alexander Bublik on Tuesday.
