German tennis star Alexander Zverev will replace Jannik Sinner at the summit of the ATP rankings after reaching the Vienna quarter-finals.
German tennis player Alexander Zverev has officially secured the men's world number one ranking for the very first time in his professional career.
The 29-year-old athlete achieved this milestone by defeating Tallon Griekspoor with a score of 6-4, 7-5 at the Erste Bank Open in Vienna, Austria.
Zverev will officially rise to the top spot on Monday, replacing Jannik Sinner, according to information published by BBC.
Alexander Zverev historic rise to ATP number one
Zverev is now only the second German player to reach the pinnacle of the men's tour, following in the footsteps of Boris Becker, who achieved the feat in 1991.
Reflecting on his journey, Zverev noted that it has been a long wait, but emphasized that sometimes you simply have to wait for the best things in life.
The achievement crowns an incredible season in which the German player secured two Grand Slam titles and won 64 out of his 80 total matches played.
Capitalizing on injuries among top tennis rivals
At the start of the season, dominating the rankings seemed exclusively reserved for Jannik Sinner and Carlos Alcaraz, who split eight majors in recent years.
However, both top rivals missed large chunks of the tennis season due to injuries, opening a golden door for Zverev to claim the top spot.
Zverev successfully triumphed at both the French Open and the US Open while at least one of his main competitors was absent from the draws.
Upcoming Vienna quarter final against Arthur Fery
Following his historic ranking milestone, Zverev advances to the quarter-finals in Vienna to face British number one Arthur Fery on the court.
Fery earned his spot in the next round by securing a hard-fought 6-4, 5-7, 6-4 victory over Italy's Lorenzo Musetti during the tournament.
This upcoming match will serve as a direct rematch of their memorable Wimbledon semi-final encounter earlier in the season.
Frequently Asked Questions
When will Alexander Zverev become the world number one?
Alexander Zverev will officially rise to the men's ATP world number one spot on Monday after winning his match at the Erste Bank Open in Vienna.
Who was the last German man to be world number one before Zverev?
Boris Becker was the last German male tennis player to reach the pinnacle of the world rankings, achieving the milestone back in 1991.
How did Alexander Zverev secure the top ranking?
Zverev secured the top ranking by winning the French Open and US Open titles, maintaining consistent form, and capitalizing on injuries to rivals Jannik Sinner and Carlos Alcaraz.
