Zverev is the 30th player to top the PIF ATP Rankings since 1973. He was the top seed, reaching the quarterfinals in Vienna last week before losing to Alex de Minaur 6-4, 1-6, 7-6 (4) in the semifinals.
Here’s what he had to say about the No. 1 ranking, his goals for 2027, his physique and how he plans to celebrate.
Zverev on becoming world No. 1
How did you feel today when you saw your name at the top of the PIF ATP Rankings?
I haven’t looked at the ranking yet. But it’s definitely a special day. I think Paris in general was special for me this year. That’s where I’ve had a lot of ups and downs, I’ve had a lot of heartache. But this year, of course, winning my first Grand Slam here and becoming No. 1 is a very special feeling.
You now have both. What’s better, being world number 1 or a Grand Slam champion?
It’s a different feeling. When I won my first Grand Slam, it was a different kind of feeling because at first I thought maybe I was never going to do it. I had a lot of heartbreak, a lot of tough times, a lot of losses in the finals, so it was a different feeling to finally make it. It was the biggest relief I’ve ever felt in my career.
But both cups are individually special, individually different. Winning a Grand Slam is the biggest tournament we can win in tennis. For me, the Olympics is also one of the biggest trophies you can win. But for that you have to have the best season in an entire year. So it’s a completely different feeling, but this feels special too.
Zverev’s goals: Mehvor, Alcaraz and all four Grand Slams.
Now that you’re No. 1 with two Grand Slam titles, is there still something to prove next year, like beating Yannick Sinner and Carlos Alcaraz more often?
Definitely. I’ve had a great season and I’m very happy with the season I’ve had, two Grand Slams, being No. 1 and all that. But of course there are many other things I still want to achieve. I think it’s very important in any sport or in anyone’s life to have certain goals that are set in front of you, which I definitely do.
I’m looking forward to getting the top two guys back healthy, playing full time and competing with them. I’m looking forward to that challenge too.
Can you be more specific about your goals for next year?
Competing with them is one thing. But now I have another goal. I feel like this year was the first time in my life that I was able to play on grass. Before, I didn’t know what to do on the grass. So I definitely feel like I can compete for all four Grand Slams, and of course I hope to get a few would be great.
Zverev on his form after Shanghai and Vienna
You said in Shanghai that you were tired, and last week many were waiting for the final against Carlos Alcaraz in Vienna. How do you rate your fitness, mentally and physically?
I feel good. In Shanghai, yes, I was tired, my battery was low, I finished. Then I took a week off, which helped me a lot. I did not play tennis for a week. And I feel good, my energy feels good.
Actually I felt good in Vienna too. I think the conditions were a bit difficult for me and I think Alex had a phenomenal match against me, so credit to him for beating me. But physically I felt good, energy-wise I felt good, and I expect to play good tennis for the next two weeks.
But now it seems to me that every day you continue the work. In Vienna I secured number 1 and the next day I had to play.
But now it seems to me that every day you continue the work. In Vienna I secured number 1 and the next day I had to play.
Stephanos Tsitsipas is raising his level and so is Daniil Medvedev, do you think that generation is making a comeback?
I think Daniil never left. He had one not-so-good season last year where he finished, what, No. 9 in the world? So yeah, I don’t think he ever left. First, he’s in the top five again, and I think he’ll stay in the top five. So I don’t think his level has gone anywhere.
I think Stefanos had a little bit more problems, but I think he can play great tennis as well. I think we have to be careful when we say players have gone bad or downgraded because I think we’ve forgotten how good Daniil really is and the results he can produce. I have nothing but respect for him and I think he will do great things in tennis over the next four to five years as well.
Zverev on messaging and celebrating the #1 ranking
Have you received a congratulatory message from someone you weren’t expecting?
That I did not expect. That’s a tough one. I got a message from everyone in the tennis world. I think our tennis family is very close, so if someone achieves something big, they always like to congratulate. I also always congratulate everyone. What I didn’t expect was some athletes from other sports, some politicians from Germany. I also received from those people.
Did you have time to celebrate, or will everything wait until the Finals?
That’s why I say it’s different than winning a Grand Slam. At a grand slam, the week stops, you know you’ve won, you can celebrate, you can be happy. But now it seems to me that every day you continue the work. In Vienna I secured number 1 and the next day I had to play. Here too, I have to play the day after tomorrow, so I’m not going to celebrate too much here.
I think everything will happen after the Davis Cup. But I think it will be a quiet holiday as I am going to the Maldives with my whole family. So it’s going to be a different kind of celebration.