Zverev is already speaking like a future number 1: “I have a lot of motivation”

Andrés Tomás Rico - 8 Oct 2026 | 21:12
ATP Alexander Zverev ATP Shanghái 2026

The German is already in Shanghai, and although he is not yet the official number one, he stated a few weeks ago that "the only thing I can control is what I do on the track."

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Zverev already speaks like a future number 1: "I am very motivated." Photo: Gettyimages

Alexander Zverev is virtually the new world number one. Following Jannik Sinner's announcement of his absence until 2027, and thus losing 3,000 points, the German is not mathematically the leader of the ATP ranking yet, but he will be officially at the ATP 500 in Vienna or at the Masters 1000 in Paris, depending on whether it is before or after his performance at the Masters 1000 in Shanghai, where he will be the top seed.

The German has been the player who best capitalized on the absences, first of Carlos Alcaraz, and then of Jannik Sinner, to achieve his first two Grand Slams of his career when many thought he would never win one. He broke free at Roland Garros, without the Spaniard and with the Italian KO in the second round, and confirmed himself at the US Open, with the player from El Palmar lacking rhythm after four and a half months, and with the one from San Candido at the start of his knee injury.

Furthermore, he had his first opportunity to reach the top of the ATP ranking if he won at the ATP 500 in Beijing and the Masters 1000 in Shanghai, but a colossal Novak Djokovic showed up to defeat him in the quarterfinals of the Beijing tournament, and the proclamation will have to wait. Although he is still the world number two for now, Zverev knows he will be the king of the circuit in the coming weeks. However, upon his arrival in Shanghai, the German prefers not to focus too much on this topic and claims to think of other objectives.

Alexander Zverev is already virtually number one in the ATP ranking, but not mathematically

“I have a lot of motivation to play, and there are certain things I want to achieve, and of course, I’m fighting for them. Personally, I enjoy playing tennis at this moment and hope it continues this way,” Zverev said in an interview with ATP Media upon his arrival in Shanghai.

However, he did not avoid discussing the topic: “The number 1 position in the ranking is a topic of conversation for everyone right now, but I’m motivated to keep fighting for good things. The only thing I can control is what I do on the court and my next match, and that’s what I focus on every time.”

In addition to talking about the number one in the ATP ranking, Zverev took the opportunity, as he did right after winning the US Open, to praise his father and the rest of his team. “We have all been fighting and working very hard for the same goals, and achieving it together is even more special. My main role model is always my father. I think that is what I am most used to, most of the time.”

Indeed, both Zverev and his team have experienced very tough moments in recent years such as his ankle injury while playing against Rafa Nadal in the semifinals of Roland Garros 2022, his lost Grand Slam finals, or the feeling of a great distance from Alcaraz and Sinner.

Therefore, the future world number one emphasized how essential his team is for him: “I think it’s important to have these people close because, in difficult moments, you can discuss and the next moment keep fighting for the same things. It’s crucial to have this kind of support and have the people who know you best defending those ideals,” concluded a Alexander Zverev who seeks to win a Masters 1000 in Shanghai to become, as soon as possible and officially, the king of the ATP circuit.

This is an automatic translation. You can read the original news, Zverev ya habla como futuro número 1: “Tengo mucha motivación”