Alexander Zverev created history as he achieved the ATP World No.1 ranking for the first time in his career following Carlos Alcaraz’ defeat in the Round of 32 of the Shanghai Open on Monday (October 12) against Zizou Bergs at the Qizhong Forest Sports City.
The result ensured that the 29-year-old ended Jannik Sinner’s reign at the top spot.
Zverev has not only achieved the feat for the first time in his career but also ensured that he will finish the season as the World No.1 even if he does not win a single game from here on in the year. The German is currently playing the Shanghai Masters, where he won his first two-round games. From here, he could feature in the ATP Paris Masters 1000 as well as the ATP Tour Finals in Turin.
Alexander Zverev Sets Massive World Record
Zverev has broken Andre Agassi’s world record and become the oldest player in history to finish as the World No.1 for the first time in his career. He went past Agassi in the elite list by a margin of just three days. The eight-time Grand Slam winner had achieved the feat in 1999.
Oldest Players To Finish ATP Year-End World No.1
| Player | Age | Year |
| Alexander Zverev | 29 years, 217 days | 2026 |
| Andre Agassi | 29 years, 214 days | 1999 |
| Andy Murray | 29 years, 197 days | 2016 |
Meanwhile, Zverev is the oldest player in 52 years (second oldest in history) to achieve the World No.1 ranking for the first time in their career. John Newcombe remains the only player to reach the top spot after 30 years for the first time in his career.
Oldest Players To Achieve ATP World No.1 For First Time
| Player | Age | Year |
| John Newcombe | 30 years, 111 days | 1974 |
| Alexander Zverev | 29 years, 217 days | 2026 |
| Andy Murray | 29 years, 176 days | 2016 |
| Thomas Muster | 28 years, 133 days | 1996 |
| Ilie Nastase | 26 years, 210 days | 1999 |
Meanwhile, Zverev is the first German to achieve the World No.1 feat since Boris Becker in 1991.
This marks the end of a breakthrough year for Zverev, as he won a Grand Slam for the first time after lifting the French Open and later also clinching the US Open crown. He also played the Wimbledon final, where Sinner defeated him.