Alexander Zverev has little time to settle into his new position as world No. 1, with the 29-year-old already stalking next-gen rivals Jannik Sinner and Carlos Acaraz.
Zverev clinched the title at the weekend and is competing this week at the Paris Masters at the top of the ATP heap.
But the German is looking ahead to defending his new career honour as he plans for future match wins over his younger rivals.
Both of the young guns have gone through injury challenges in 2026, with Sinner not having played since Wimbledon due to a dodgy knee while Alcaraz missed nearly five months with a spring-summer wrist problem.
The Spaniard has bounced back nicely, winning back to back ATP 500 titles in Tokyo and at the weekend in Vienna.
Zverev is ready for any and all challenges after being honoured as No. 1 on Monday on court in Paris.”I haven’t looked at the rankings, but no, it’s a special day, for sure. I think Paris has been quite special to me this year, generally.
“It’s a place where I had a lot of up-and-downs, a lot of heartbreak, but this year, of course, winning my first Grand Slam here and becoming World No. 1, it’s a very special feeling.”
Zverev added a second Grand Slam title with a US Open trophy but is keen to face off against Sinner and Alcaraz – with both hopefully staying healthy in 2027.
“There are so many other things that I still want to achieve. It’s very important in any sport or any person’s life to have certain goals that are set for you, which I definitely do.
“I’m looking forward to the top two guys being healthy again, playing fully and competing with them. I look forward to that challenge, as well.”
He added: “Competing with them is a goal but I feel like this year was the first time I could play on the grass court in my life,” said the runner-up in July to Sinner.
“Before, I didn’t know what to do on the grass court. I definitely feel like I can compete for all the four Grand Slams. Of course, hopefully getting a few more (titles at the majors) would be great for me.”
Main photo:- Alexander Zverev ATP No. 1 at Paris Masters by ISF Ltd
