Germany’s Zverev takes over as tennis world No. 1

Germany’s Alexander Zverev will become world number one for the first time in his career after beating Tallon Griekspoor 6-4, 7-5 on Thursday to reach the quarter-finals of the Vienna Open, PUNCH reports. The 29-year-old was already assured of finishing the season top of the ATP rankings, and will take the position in next week’s updated standings in the absence of current incumbent Jannik Sinner.

Zverev, a two-time Grand Slam champion, won the French and US Opens in 2026. He becomes only the 30th man to claim the top spot since rankings were first published in 1973. He will be 29 years and 196 days old when Monday’s rankings are published, making him the second-oldest first-time number one after John Newcombe.

Sinner ended his season at the start of October because of a knee injury. Zverev saved four match points against Martin Landaluce in round one on Tuesday before defeating Griekspoor in straight sets, finishing with an unreturnable serve.