ATP Ranking: Zverev narrows the gap and moves closer to number one, Djokovic falls out of the top 10

The US Open 2026 has concluded, the last Grand Slam of a year filled with unexpected movements. Flushing Meadows closed the curtain on a season of major tournaments where Alexander Zverev was the best, winning two Slams and reaching another final, leaving behind Jannik Sinner and Carlos Alcaraz, both experiencing the rebellion of their own bodies (as significant and challenging as many rivals).

All of this has, of course, important consequences regarding the ATP ranking. Earning an additional 2000 points puts Sascha in a completely privileged position for the remainder of the season: while there is still a considerable distance, the German can now set his sights on the goal of becoming world number one. It would be the cherry on top of a trajectory where he has already ticked almost all the boxes: after his triumph in New York, the German stands with 9690 points, less than 2000 behind a leader who remains at the top... but who must now defend title after title (we're talking about Jannik Sinner, who, with 11500 points, remains the leader but has lost 1300 points after not playing this US Open and will not be able to earn more points in Beijing, Vienna, Paris, and the ATP Finals, tournaments he won last year).

Zverev was asked if he’s the best player in the world right now, ‘With Sinner being injured & Alcaraz coming back from injury… right now, probably yes… 4 or 5 months ago when both were healthy, I was losing to Jannik all the time. If everyone is healthy, I think Jannik is still… pic.twitter.com/6eQrCG1sQZ

— The Tennis Letter (@TheTennisLetter) September 14, 2026

These are the significant changes in the top-10 after the US Open 2026

While the news in the battle for number one refers to a numerical issue, still without clear changes in the table, the rest of the top-10 has experienced modifications worth highlighting. The other major protagonist of this US Open is Ben Shelton, and the tiny distances present in the second tier of the circuit have allowed him to rise to his best historic ranking: he will leave New York as the new #4 in the world, squeezing into a top-5 that includes Carlos Alcaraz (#3) and Felix Auger-Aliassime (#5).

The other major rise in the upper tier of the circuit is led by another American: Frances Tiafoe returns to the top-10 with a climb of four positions, becoming the new #8 in the world. To make room for new names, others have to leave... and these departures fill us with nostalgia. The end of an era, we’ll see if momentary or forever, for Novak Djokovic: the Serbian falls to the #12 position in the rankings after losing in his debut in New York, marking the first time he hasn’t ranked among the top ten in nearly eight years.

It has been a good US Open, however, for the resurgence of several names. The most notable rises in the world rankings are led by two players with extensive and broad careers who have revived their laurels in New York. First, we talk about Karen Khachanov, a surprise semifinalist who returned to the top-30 (rising 24 places to #26 in the world); secondly, Botic van de Zandschulp, who reached the quarter-finals of a Grand Slam again and, as a consequence, the top-40 (climbing 30 positions to #40 in the world).

Notable rises and falls in the ATP ranking after the US Open 2026

• #4 Ben Shelton (+5)

• #8 Frances Tiafoe (+4)

• #26 Karen Khachanov (+24)

• #27 Alexander Blockx (+7)

• #34 Alex Michelsen (+12)

• #40 Botic van de Zandschulp (+30)

• #44 Stefanos Tsitsipas (+9)

• #63 Arthur Géa (+24)

   

• #12 Novak Djokovic (-7)

• #20 Lorenzo Musetti (-6)

• #52 Thiago Tirante (-10)

• #65 Jan-Lennard Struff (-21)

• #68 Jaume Munar (-13)

• #75 Tomas Machac (-17)

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This is an automatic translation. You can read the original news, Ranking ATP: Zverev recorta distancias y se acerca al número uno, Djokovic sale del top-10