Berlin, Oct 13:
Alexander Zverev has emerged as the world’s top-ranked men’s tennis player, becoming the first German man since Boris Becker in 1991 to finish a season at the summit of the rankings.
The 29-year-old’s rise was confirmed after Carlos Alcaraz suffered a third-round exit at the Shanghai Masters. Zverev also benefited from the prolonged absence of Italy’s Jannik Sinner, who has been sidelined since winning Wimbledon in July because of a knee injury.
Zverev enjoyed a memorable 2026 season, winning his maiden French Open title after defeating Flavio Cobolli in the final. He subsequently captured his second Grand Slam crown at the US Open, further strengthening his position among the leading players on the ATP Tour.
Becker was the last German man to finish a season as world No. 1, achieving the milestone in 1991. Zverev’s achievement marks a significant moment for German tennis, more than three decades after Becker’s historic season.