Zverev finally at the top of the world: "Being number one almost at 30 years old is very special"

Carlos Navarro - 29 Oct 2026 | 23:23
Alexander Zverev ATP ATP Viena 2026 número uno

The German granted his first interview as the world's number one and defined this success as a "shared journey" alongside his family and team.

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Zverev is the new number one in the world.

A lot has happened today, from the surprising upset of Novak Djokovic in Basel to Carlos Alcaraz's show in the tiebreak of his second set in Vienna. It's true, but there is one name that stands out as the major highlight of the day, someone who has finally reaped the rewards of his consistency, regularity, and winning character, especially in the Grand Slams. We are talking about Alexander Zverev, who with a victory over Tallon Griekspoor in the round of 16 of the ATP Vienna 2026 has secured the number one spot in the world for the first time in his career.

He himself does not hide that it was a matter of time, but his victories allow him to scrape an extra week, before Jannik Sinner's ATP Finals points are deducted from the ranking. The German climbs to the top of the world in a special tournament for him, in the Austrian capital, where he feels tremendously supported. It is another goal achieved on a path that has not always been smooth, but to which Sascha has overcome on numerous occasions, pushing aside obstacles until he found his reward while others struggled with their physique or inconsistency. Today, Zverev can finally speak as the world number one... and precisely from the locker rooms of the Viennese tournament, he candidly shared for the first time what it means to join a very exclusive club of privileged ones and kings of the circuit.

This is what Alexander Zverev said in his first words as the world number one

About the feat he achieved today

"Yes, it’s a special feeling, it’s different from winning the tournament, it’s different from achieving success just once. You have to be very consistent and show a very high level throughout the year to get here. Achieving this almost at 30 years old is a special feeling because you never know how much more time you have to achieve something like this. That’s why I am very happy for this achievement."

Did he think it would happen before turning 30?

"Well, I didn’t think it would happen after 30 (smiles). Generally, yes, the whole year has been something very special. I have achieved many of my big dreams. Being the world number one, of course, is the cherry on top. You’re always happy when you achieve new successes, especially when they are as special as this one. Still, it’s a somewhat strange feeling because I know that tomorrow I have to step back on the court, it’s not like you’ve won a tournament and you’re free to enjoy it; today I have to do all my routines, my physiotherapy, the work I do with my team, and tomorrow back on the court. That’s why it feels different than if the tournament had already finished."

About a possible celebration of this milestone soon... although it might not happen until the season ends

"I’m not going to celebrate today, that’s for sure. I’ll wait until the end of the week, maybe something small, because on Tuesday or Wednesday I’ll be back on the court in Paris. Our season continues; it’s not over yet. When the year ends, that’s for sure, I’ll take a break. I’ll go to the Maldives, as always. I don’t know if there will be a special celebration. We have three great tournaments ahead: a Masters, the ATP Finals, and the Davis Cup. I still have big goals on the horizon this year, and of course, Vienna, where we are continuing and there’s still a lot to win. I still have to focus on what’s coming."

The shared journey with his father, the first person he hugged after winning today and knowing he would be the number one in the world

"I think he is very proud of me. For me, I feel that we have achieved this together. Also all my family and my entire team. My team hasn’t changed much in the last 15 years since I came onto the circuit. That’s why this achievement is for all of us, and that’s why I think we should celebrate altogether. If my father wants to have his own celebration at some point, he can do it; I would love to see it (smiles). My mother is currently in Mallorca. I’ve already talked to her; what we have achieved is very special. She is in Mallorca with her three grandchildren, they are at the Nadal Academy, all playing tennis and there for a camp. She is very busy right now, to be honest."

Were there nerves in his family and in his mother these days?

"Nerves? I don’t think they feel nervous anymore because it was clear that at some point I would end up being number one. It was a matter of time. It’s special that it happened here in Vienna. As I’ve said before, in this city, I feel that the crowd is always on my side; it’s an incredible stadium where I feel that people support me. That’s why it’s special to have achieved it here."

This is an automatic translation. You can read the original news, Zverev, al fin en la cima del mundo: "Ser número uno casi con 30 años es muy especial"