Alexander Zverev on ‘Top of the World’ After Finally Dethroning Jannik Sinner From No.1 Ranking

Alexander Zverev has finally done it. On Thursday (October 29), Zverev beat Tallon Griekspoor in the second round of the Vienna Open and dethroned Jannik Sinner from the live rankings.

Zverev will officially become No.1 when the rankings are updated on Monday. He will become the 30th player to reach the top of the rankings table, as well as the first German man since Boris Becker in 1991 to achieve this.

[It is] very special. To have the feeling to be on the top of the world is amazing. It is different than winning a tournament or a title, but it’s such a special feeling to know that the No.1 is going to be next to your name when the new rankings come out.

Alexander Zverev said during his on-court interview (H/T: ATP Tour)

Sinner was the defending champion in Vienna, where last year, he defeated Zverev in the final. But he is not competing, as he has already called time on the season because of a knee injury, and last played a match in the Wimbledon final against Zverev, defending his title.

I was super focused and super motivated for multiple reasons. But, of course, being number one was a big subject. I think I played a very good match. And I am very happy about that.

Alexander Zverev added

He will join Novak Djokovic, Sinner, Carlos Alcaraz, and Daniil Medvedev in the list of active players who have reached the No.1 ranking. The two-time Grand Slam champion will become the second oldest player to reach the No.1 ranking following John Newcombe, who was 30 years old when he reached the milestone in 1974. Zverev will achieve this at 29.

Zverev has enjoyed the best season of his career so far as he took home two Grand Slam titles, winning at the French Open by beating Flavio Cobolli and the US Open by beating Ben Shelton. Also, before this season, he had never progressed beyond the fourth round at Wimbledon.

Zverev will next lock horns with Arthur Fery, whose breakthrough run at this year’s Wimbledon was ended by Sascha in the semifinals. The Brit upset Lorenzo Musetti in the previous round. Zverev is chasing his second title in Vienna. Prior to his defeat to Sinner last year, the German defeated Frances Tiafoe in the final in the Austrian capital back in 2021.

Alexander Zverev shares how many days he will take off from tennis after the end of the season

Alexander Zverev has played the most matches on the men’s tour this season. In almost every tournament, he has made deep runs.

Apart from the three Majors, Zverev also reached the title clash of the Madrid Open, losing the match to Jannik Sinner. Following his defeat to eventual champion Alejandro Davidovich Fokina in the Shanghai Masters semifinal, Zverev admitted to feeling fatigued.

My plan will be exactly the same as always. I’ll take ten days off, and then I’ll start preparing. I’m going on vacation to the Maldives, something that probably won’t surprise anyone anymore because I go every year. After that, I’ll begin preparing for the new season. I won’t have a particularly long preparation period, that’s clear, but it will be the same length as last year. In that sense, not much will change.

Alexander Zverev said at a press conference in Vienna (H/T: Tennis365)

After the Vienna Open, Zverev will compete at the Paris Masters, which starts on November 2. The World No.2 is a one-time champion in Paris, winning in 2024 by beating Ugo Humbert. He also reached the final in 2020 but lost the match to Daniil Medvedev. Zverev has already qualified for the ATP Finals.

Also read: Juan Carlos Ferrero Says His Relationship With Carlos Alcaraz Was ‘Not at All Paternal’