Road to Number 1: Following Alexander Zverev’s Amazing Tennis Year
Until recently, Alexander Zverev seemed like he might always be tennis’s greatest almost-man. But that’s all changed now. His amazing 2026 season, filled with big moments and top-level play, has helped him become No. 1 as soon as he could.
Tonight, Zverev won 6-4, 7-5 against Tallon Griekspoor in the Erste Bank Open’s round of 16. This win means he’ll officially be the top-ranked player on Monday. It’s been an incredible year for the German star — let’s take a look at how he made it happen.
Ten years ago, Zverev was seen as one of the sport’s rising stars, but his journey looked like it might fall short. He struggled to match the greatness of the Big Three — Roger Federer, Rafael Nadal, and Novak Djokovic — and then even younger players like Carlos Alcaraz and Jannik Sinner started to outshine him.
After losing in the Australian Open final last year, many believed he might become the greatest player who never won a Grand Slam. Early losses at Wimbledon and the US Open made things look even tougher as he neared 30.
At the start of 2026, Zverev was ranked fifth with 5,110 points — much lower than Alcaraz and Sinner, who had 11,500 and 2,050 points. He bounced back, but still faced tough semi-final losses to his rivals at the Australian Open, Indian Wells, Miami, and Monte Carlo.
Despite these setbacks, these tournaments helped build his challenge for the No. 1 spot. While Alcaraz and Sinner ruled the top, Zverev was clearly the best of the rest, collecting important ranking points.
Later in 2026, injuries hit his rivals — Alcaraz’s wrist injury in April, and Sinner’s knee injury after Wimbledon. This gave Zverev a chance to shine, with his points setting the stage for his rise.
The turning point was the 2026 French Open. With Alcaraz out, and Sinner losing unexpectedly early, the path was open for Zverev. Could he handle the pressure? He admitted on Andy Roddick’s podcast, “I was ****ing my pants for two weeks straight.”
But the 6-foot-6 German stayed strong, beating Italy’s Flavio Cobolli in a tough five-set match. “We’ve been through injuries, heartbreaks, and losses,” he said. “We’ve been losers at key moments, but now we’re Grand Slam champions, and that’s what counts.” This win was his first Grand Slam, and there was more to come.
Zverev went on to have his best-ever Wimbledon run, only losing in the final to Sinner — playing some of his best tennis. Sadly, Sinner’s knee injury after Wimbledon took him out for the rest of the year.
At the US Open, Alcaraz returned but was still recovering, leaving Zverev as the clear favorite. Unlike the French Open, his road was tougher here — two grueling five-set matches early on, then wins over strong opponents like Alejandro Tabilo and Ben Shelton in the final.
When he won the final point, Zverev was so focused he didn’t even realize he’d won his second Grand Slam until his team told him, while the crowd cheered wildly. This moment showed how focused and determined he’d become — something he had struggled with before.
After the US Open, and with Sinner out for the year, Zverev’s chance at No. 1 grew clearer. Following wins in the Davis Cup and a semi-final in Beijing, plus Alcaraz’s loss in Shanghai, it was official — Zverev would be No. 1 soon.
His win in Vienna’s Erste Bank Open round of 16 sealed it. On November 2, he’ll have 9,450 ranking points — tied with Sinner but set to earn more in the ongoing tournament. At 29, he’s the second-oldest man to become No. 1, having won 64 of 80 matches this year and becoming Germany’s second male No. 1 after Boris Becker.
“It’s been a wait, but sometimes you have to wait for the best things in life,” Zverev said. “I’m super happy and grateful — I have no words for this year.”
From being an underdog to a multiple Grand Slam winner and the world’s top player, the Hamburg native’s 2026 season has been nothing short of amazing.