Alexander Zverev secured his long-awaited rise to the top of men's tennis on Thursday, October 29, by defeating Tallon Griekspoor 6-4, 7-5 in the round of 16 at the Vienna Open. The 29-year-old German has guaranteed that he will become world No. 1 when the ATP rankings are updated on Monday, November 2, ending Jannik Sinner's spell at the summit.
The victory at the ATP 500 tournament in Vienna made the ranking milestone certain before the end of the week. Zverev will become the 30th man to top the rankings since their introduction in 1973 and the first German to do so since Boris Becker in 1991.
A composed win over Griekspoor seals the milestone
Zverev, the top seed in Vienna, took 6-4, 7-5 to get past Griekspoor, the Dutchman who had won the Brussels title the previous week. The German broke once in each set and did not face a break point, according to the tournament's ATP report. The match lasted approximately 95 minutes.
The first set was shaped by an early break from Zverev, who then managed his service games to take the lead. Griekspoor stayed close in the second, reaching 5-5, but Zverev found the decisive return game and served out the match. An ace completed the victory and confirmed the ranking achievement.
The result also extended Zverev's head-to-head advantage over Griekspoor to 10-3. The Dutch player had beaten him earlier in the season in Montreal, but could not repeat that result in Vienna. Zverev's win was his 10th against the same opponent, a career first for the German against any individual player, according to the ATP tournament account.
A historic first for German men's tennis
When the new list is released on November 2, Zverev will become the first German man to hold the ATP No. 1 ranking since Becker achieved the feat in 1991. He will also join an exclusive group: only 29 men have previously occupied the top position since the rankings began in 1973.
His age makes the achievement unusual as well. At 29 years and 196 days when the ranking update takes effect, Zverev will be the second-oldest player to become world No. 1 for the first time. Australia's John Newcombe was older when he first reached the summit.
Zverev's route to the top was not straightforward. He came close in 2022, but tore ankle ligaments during his French Open semi-final against Rafael Nadal and missed the remainder of that season. The long interruption delayed a milestone that had appeared within reach earlier in his career.
A breakthrough season on the biggest stages
The ranking change follows a standout 2026 campaign. Zverev won the French Open and the US Open, securing the first two Grand Slam titles of his career. Those major victories transformed his season and helped place him in position to take advantage when the leading players' campaigns changed late in the year.
Sinner, the reigning No. 1, ended his season in early October to recover from a knee injury. That opened the route for Zverev to move past him, although the German still needed to collect the points required to make the change mathematically secure. His two victories at the Vienna Open, including the one over Griekspoor, completed that task.
The ATP tournament's season index listed Zverev at 64 wins and 16 losses after the Griekspoor match. He had also reached a tour-leading 13th quarter-final of the season, underlining the consistency behind his ranking rise rather than a single tournament run.
Quarter-final challenge awaits in Vienna
Zverev's tournament is not over. He is due to face Britain's Arthur Fery in the quarter-finals, with a place in the last four at stake. Fery advanced after defeating Lorenzo Musetti 6-4, 5-7, 6-4 in a contest lasting two hours and 44 minutes. The Briton saved seven of the nine break points he faced in that match.
The ranking milestone is secured, but a strong finish in Vienna would give Zverev another opportunity to build momentum ahead of the season-ending ATP Finals. The German has already achieved the central objective of the week: his name will appear at the top of the ATP list for the first time.
For tennis followers, the change also marks a notable transition at the top of the men's game. Becker's long-standing place in German tennis history now has a successor, while Zverev's achievement adds a new chapter to a career shaped by major titles, a serious injury setback and a sustained return to the highest level.
Frequently asked questions
How did Alexander Zverev secure the world No. 1 ranking?
Zverev secured the points needed to guarantee the top position by defeating Tallon Griekspoor 6-4, 7-5 in the round of 16 at the Vienna Open on October 29, 2026. He will move to No. 1 when the ATP rankings are updated on Monday, November 2.
What was the score between Alexander Zverev and Tallon Griekspoor?
Zverev won the Vienna Open round-of-16 match 6-4, 7-5. He broke Griekspoor once in each set and did not face a break point, according to the ATP tournament report. The victory sent the German into the quarter-finals.
When will Alexander Zverev officially become world No. 1?
Zverev is set to become world No. 1 when the next ATP rankings are published on Monday, November 2, 2026. His win over Griekspoor in Vienna guaranteed the points required to move above Jannik Sinner in the standings.
How many players have reached No. 1 in the ATP rankings?
Zverev will become the 30th man to reach the top of the ATP rankings since the system was introduced in 1973. He will also be the first German man to occupy the position since Boris Becker reached No. 1 in 1991.
Who will Alexander Zverev play next in Vienna?
Zverev is scheduled to face Britain's Arthur Fery in the Vienna Open quarter-finals. Fery reached the last eight by defeating Italy's Lorenzo Musetti 6-4, 5-7, 6-4 in a match lasting two hours and 44 minutes.