Alexander Zverev Becomes Second-Oldest Man to Debut as ATP No.1

Alexander Zverev has become the second-oldest first-time world No.1 by securing enough points at the Vienna Open to supplant Jannik Sinner atop the ATP rankings. Almost exactly a decade after Andy Murray reached that same milestone at 29 years and 176 days old, this year's Roland Garros and US Open champion will be just 19 days older when he officially does so on Monday. John Newcombe is the oldest ever debutant world No. 1, achieving the feat 11 days after his 30th birthday in 1974, a year after they were introduced, by displacing Ilie Nastase, who spent 40 weeks as the first incumbent at the top spot. Fifty-three years later, Zverev becomes the 30th player to do likewise, and just the second German after Boris Becker, who spent a combined 12 weeks at the top spot during 1991 while swapping places with Stefan Edberg.

Alexander Zverev Becomes Second-Oldest Man to Debut as ATP No.1

TL;DR

  • Alexander Zverev will become the world No.1 after securing enough points at the Vienna Open.
  • He is the second-oldest first-time world No.1 in ATP history, aged 19 days older than Andy Murray was.
  • Jannik Sinner, the previous No.1, is unable to defend his points due to a knee injury ending his season.
  • Zverev guaranteed his position by defeating Tallon Griekspoor in the Vienna Open.
  • He is the second German player to reach the No.1 ranking, following Boris Becker.