Alexander Zverev set to finish 2026 as ATP year-end No. 1

Alexander Zverev has secured the ATP Year-End No. 1 ranking after Carlos Alcaraz’s shock defeat at the Shanghai Masters, according to the supplied report. The German is set to achieve the milestone for the first time in his career

New Delhi: Alexander Zverev achieved another significant milestone in his 2026 season, clinching the ATP Year-End No. 1 spot for the first time on Monday.

The reigning French Open and US Open champion will become the first German to finish a season as the year-end world No. 1 and the oldest player to achieve the feat for the first time. He will be 29 years and 217 days old on the date of the year-end ATP rankings, November 23, 2026, three days older than Andre Agassi was when he achieved the feat in 1999, at 29 years and 214 days.

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Zverev’s achievement was confirmed after Spain’s Carlos Alcaraz suffered a shock defeat to Belgium’s Zizou Bergs in the round of 32 at the ongoing Shanghai Masters. Bergs won 7-5, 7-6 (4).

Zverev was already the favourite to finish the year at the top of the rankings and had two possible scenarios to secure the spot.

One was reaching the semifinals in Shanghai, while the other depended on Alcaraz and Ben Shelton losing at any stage of the tournament. Before Alcaraz’s defeat, Shelton had lost to France’s Arthur Gea in his round-of-32 clash on Sunday.

Zverev has enjoyed a stellar season. He ended his long wait for a Grand Slam title by winning the French Open at Roland Garros and also claimed the US Open title. He reached at least the semifinals at the first four ATP Masters 1000 events of the season — Indian Wells, Miami, Monte-Carlo and Madrid, where he was the runner-up. He lost to Jannik Sinner on each occasion.

“It’s been a fantastic season for me, winning in Paris and New York, and knowing that I will finish the year on top of the rankings is just a dream come true,” Zverev said.

“So much work and effort have been put into achieving this goal, especially after coming back from the ankle injury. I look forward to finishing the season in style,” he added.

Meanwhile, Zverev could also become world No. 1 in the live ATP Rankings. He could achieve the feat on November 2 and would become the 30th player to reach the top spot.

He is currently competing at the Shanghai Masters, where he is scheduled to face Alexander Bublik in the round of 16 on Tuesday.