Zverev 'on top of the world' after securing No. 1 ranking

Alexander Zverev accelerated his ascent to number one in the world rankings for the first time in his career on Thursday as he beat Tallon Griekspoor 6-4, 7-5 to reach the quarter-finals of the Vienna Open. Long seen as tennis' nearly-man, Zverev has enjoyed a stellar 2026, breaking his major duck by picking up the titles at the French and US Opens.

Now he has broken further ground by becoming only the 30th man to claim top spot since the rankings were first published in 1973. He will be aged 29 years and 196 days when Monday's new rankings are published, making him the second-oldest first-time number one after Australian John Newcombe.