After opening win: Zverev new number one by year-end
The German is at least by year-end the new world No. 1 in tennis. If he wins in Shanghai, he could achieve it significantly earlier.
Alexander Zverev will end the 2026 tennis year as world No. 1!
This is official at the latest after the German's opening win at the ATP 1000 tournament in Shanghai in the first round against Yibing Wu. Zverev defeated the Chinese 6-4 and 7-6(3).
As a result, the 29-year-old is mathematically at the top by year-end, replacing Jannik Sinner. The South Tyrolean had to end his season prematurely due to persistent knee problems. Carlos Alcaraz can also no longer pose a threat to Zverev.
Could already be at the top in November
Depending on the tournament's progress in Shanghai, the German could become the new number one earlier. To do this, he would have to win the Masters tournament and then reach the semifinals in Vienna.
Should Zverev lose the final in Shanghai, he would have to win in Vienna to be at the top by November 2.
Either way, Zverev will be the first German since Boris Becker (1991) to sit atop the tennis throne again.
