Zverev Reaches No. 1 After Two Grand Slam Titles

Alexander Zverev became the top-ranked men’s tennis player on November 2, capping a season in which he won two Grand Slam titles. The 29-year-old German claimed the French Open in June and the U.S. Open in September, after losing his first three major finals. He also reached the Wimbledon final and the Australian Open semifinals, and has a 65-17 record this year. He is assured of finishing the season at No. 1.

Zverev is the 30th man to reach the rankings summit and the oldest first-time No. 1 in more than five decades. John Newcombe was 30 when he took the top spot in 1974. Zverev had previously reached No. 2 more than four years ago. His other major honors include two ATP Finals titles, Olympic singles gold and seven Masters 1000 trophies. He is the second German man to top the rankings, after Boris Becker.

Jannik Sinner, who had held No. 1 since April 13, fell to second; Carlos Alcaraz is third. Sinner ended his season after inflammation developed in his right knee. Zverev is scheduled to play the Paris Masters this week, his first tournament as No. 1. In other rankings news, Rafael Jodar, 20, reached No. 10 after 287 days on tour, faster than Gustavo Kuerten’s previous 490-day record.

The achievement comes amid allegations by two former girlfriends that Zverev physically abused them. A 2020 accusation was settled through an agreement involving German prosecutors, Zverev’s lawyers and his former partner. The ATP investigated a separate case and said in January 2023 that it found insufficient evidence.