Alexander Zverev to conclude 2026 as World No. 1, ends Germany’s top-seed drought since Becker

German tennis star Alexander Zverev secured the year-end World No. 1 ranking, dethroning Jannik Sinner and becoming the first German player to achieve the feat in men’s tennis.

Zverev enjoyed a career-defining 2026 season, capturing his maiden Grand Slam titles at the French Open and US Open while completing a remarkable comeback from the serious ankle injury he suffered in 2022.

With the 2026 calendar year ending soon, the German tennis star will cap off with an honour and join an elite club of players.

Zverev becomes World No. 1

Zverev clinched the year-end World No. 1 honours for 2026, becoming the fourth active player to win the award. Novak Djokovic has won it eight times, while Carlos Alcaraz achieved the feat twice in 2022 and 2025. Sinner and Zverev have won it once in 2024 and 2026, respectively.

Zverev is also the first tennis player to receive the historic award and the second player to clinch the No. 1 spot after Boris Becker, who had achieved it in 1991. Becker, however, has never finished a calendar year as the top-ranked tennis player.

The German is also the oldest player to clinch the Year-End No. 1 honours for the first time at 29 years and 11 months, setting a new benchmark in ATP history.

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How did Zverev win the Year-End honours?

Zverev clinched the top spot after Carlos Alcaraz was stunned by unseeded Zizou Bergs in the Round of 32 at the Shanghai Open. Sinner’s season-ending knee injury also worked in Zverev’s favour, paving the way for the German to secure the historic year-end World No. 1 ranking.

The German tennis player continues to fly high with his exceptional performance amid allegations of domestic violence from his former partners, which he has denied.

Fresh from clinching the year-end World No. 1 honours, Alexander Zverev is set to continue his Shanghai Masters campaign with a Round of 16 clash against 19th-seeded Alexander Bublik.