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Alexander Zverev secured the world number one ranking for the first time by beating Tallon Griekspoor to reach the Vienna Open quarter-finals.
Alexander Zverev won two Grand Slam titles in 2026. (AP Photo)
Alexander Zverev has achieved a career-defining milestone, with the German set to official become the world’s top-ranked men’s tennis player for the first time after booking his place in the Vienna Open quarter-finals on Thursday. The 29-year-old secured a straight-sets 6-4, 7-5 win over Dutchman Tallon Griekspoor, completing his first two matches in the Austrian capital and confirming his rise to the summit of the ATP rankings.
Although Zverev had already guaranteed a year-end finish at number one, the withdrawal of reigning top-ranked player Jannik Sinner has allowed him to claim the position in next week’s updated standings.
“(It is) very special. To have the feeling to be on the top of the world is amazing,” Zverev said. “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.”
The achievement marks another significant chapter in a remarkable 2026 campaign for Zverev, who ended years of Grand Slam disappointment by winning the French Open and US Open.
He will become the 30th man to reach number one since the rankings were introduced in 1973.
At 29 years and 196 days, he will also be the second-oldest player to reach the top spot for the first time, behind Australia’s John Newcombe.
Sinner’s decision to bring his season to an early close in October because of a knee injury paved the way for Zverev’s breakthrough. The Hamburg-born player made the most of the opportunity by defeating Martin Landaluce and Griekspoor ahead of next month’s ATP Finals.
His route to the quarter-finals was not entirely straightforward, having saved four match points against Spain’s Landaluce in Tuesday’s opening-round encounter.
Against Griekspoor, however, Zverev made a commanding start, breaking serve in the opening game before taking the first set. After the Dutchman kept the second set level at 5-5, Zverev secured a crucial break.
A brief interruption followed when a smash from Zverev damaged part of the electronic advertising board behind Griekspoor as the German reached match point. Once the umpire covered the faulty panel with a towel, Zverev wrapped up the contest with an unreturnable serve.
Quick Answers
Ask News18Alexander Zverev secured his rise to the top of the ATP rankings by booking his place in the Vienna Open quarter-finals with a straight-sets victory over Tallon Griekspoor. The withdrawal of reigning top-ranked player Jannik Sinner due to a knee injury also paved the way for Zverev to claim the number one spot in the updated standings.
Ask News18About the Author
Feroz Khan has been covering sports for over 12 years now and is currently working with Network18 as Principal Correspondent. He embarked on his journey in 2011 and has since acquired vast experience …Read More
October 30, 2026, 08:59 IST
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