Zverev ends long wait for No. 1, becomes oldest top-ranked player in over 50 years

File Image: Alexander Zverev is the 30th man to reach No. 1, and the oldest player in over 50 years to get there for the first time. | Photo Credit: REUTERS

Monday brought a long-awaited milestone for Alexander Zverev, who moved up to No. 1 in the men’s tennis rankings after a commanding season in which he added a second Grand Slam title.

He claimed the French Open crown in June by beating Flavio Cobolli in his fourth major final. The 29-year-old German then followed it up in September by overcoming Ben Shelton to win the US Open at Flushing Meadows.

The two wins ended the “underachiever” label that had followed him for years, when he was widely regarded as “the greatest player never to win a Grand Slam.” Zverev, who is assured of finishing the year at No. 1, also made the Wimbledon final, where he lost to Jannik Sinner, and the semifinals of the Australian Open.

He is the 30th man to reach the top spot, and the oldest first-time No. 1 in more than 50 years. Only John Newcombe was older, at 30, when he got there in 1974.

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“I had to wait,” said Zverev, who reached the summit of the rankings more than four years after becoming No. 2. “But sometimes you’ve got to wait for the best things in life. I’m super happy, super thrilled.”

Beyond his two Slam titles, Zverev owns a long list of major honours: two ATP Finals titles, an Olympic singles gold medal and seven Masters 1000 trophies. His record this year stands at 65-17.

He is only the second German man to hold the No. 1 ranking, after Boris Becker.

Sinner, who had led the rankings since April 13, slipped to second, ahead of Carlos Alcaraz. Three weeks ago, Sinner announced the end of his season because of inflammation in his right knee.

Zverev, who was diagnosed with Type 1 diabetes at the age of 4, will play his first event as the top-ranked player at this week’s Paris Masters.

Elsewhere in the rankings, 20-year-old Spaniard Rafael Jodar rose to No. 10, less than a year after his Tour debut at the Australian Open. His 287 days from debut to the Top 10 is a record for the fastest climb, beating Gustavo Kuerten’s mark of 490 days.

Zverev’s rise to No. 1 follows accusations of physical abuse from two of his ex-girlfriends.

One 2020 allegation was ultimately resolved through an agreement between German prosecutors, Zverev’s lawyers and his former partner. The ATP Tour investigated the other case and concluded in January 2023 that there was insufficient evidence.