Some athletes reach the top of their sport almost immediately.
Others spend years getting close, falling short and trying again.
For Alexander Zverev, the wait is finally over.
The German tennis star is set to become world number one for the first time in his career, following his victory over Tallon Griekspoor at the Vienna Open on October 29.
And it’s a milestone that has taken him years to achieve.
One more win. One very big milestone.
Zverev defeated Griekspoor 6–4, 7–5 to advance to the quarterfinals in Vienna.
The result means the 29-year-old will take over the top position in the ATP rankings when they’re updated on Monday, November 2.
He’ll become only the 30th man to reach world number one since the ATP rankings were introduced in 1973.
For a player who has spent much of his career competing against some of tennis’s biggest names, the achievement carries particular significance.
It’s been quite a year.
Zverev’s rise to the top follows an impressive 2026 season.
After years of being described as one of the best players never to win a Grand Slam title, he finally broke that barrier.
He claimed both the French Open and US Open titles this year, completing a major transformation in his career.
And now, he’s adding the world number one ranking to that list.
Why does this matter ?
Tennis is a sport where the rankings can change everything.
Reaching number one doesn’t only mean winning a particular tournament. It reflects sustained performance across the season.
For Zverev, it’s recognition of years spent competing at the highest level.
Of course, the ranking won’t become official until Monday.
But the result in Vienna has already secured his place at the top.
And after spending so long chasing that position, Zverev finally has another achievement to celebrate.
