The First Official ATP World Number One and the Rise of Alexander Zverev

Alexander Zverev Poised to Become World Number One

Alexander Zverev is on the verge of reaching the world number one ranking for the first time in his career. The German star, who has secured two Grand Slam titles this year, will finish the 2026 season at the top of the ATP rankings.

Zverev needs just one more win to clinch the number one spot as he advances through the Vienna Open. After a tough three-set victory against Martin Landaluce in the opening round, he must reach the quarter-finals to officially become the world number one player.

The Origin of the Official ATP Number One Ranking

Before Zverev's potential milestone, it’s worth remembering the very first player to hold the official ATP number one spot: Ilie Nastase. On August 23, 1973, Nastase became the inaugural official world number one, having claimed seven Grand Slam titles throughout his career across singles, doubles, and mixed doubles.

Nastase earned this top ranking following an outstanding period, including winning the 1972 US Open and 1973 French Open. He also defended his title at the 1972 Tour Finals, a tournament he had won the previous year.

The Romanian remained at number one for 40 weeks before John Newcombe, a seven-time major champion, took over. Those 40 weeks rank Nastase seventeenth in longest total weeks at number one since the ranking began.

Players Who Have Held the ATP Number One Spot

Since Nastase, 27 other players have reached the pinnacle of men’s tennis, with Alexander Zverev set to become the 30th when he claims the position later this year.

• Novak Djokovic: 428 weeks
• Roger Federer: 310 weeks
• Pete Sampras: 286 weeks
• Ivan Lendl: 270 weeks
• Jimmy Connors: 268 weeks
• Rafael Nadal: 209 weeks
• John McEnroe: 170 weeks
• Björn Borg: 109 weeks
• Andre Agassi: 101 weeks
• Jannik Sinner: 95 weeks
• Lleyton Hewitt: 80 weeks
• Stefan Edberg: 72 weeks
• Carlos Alcaraz: 66 weeks
• Jim Courier: 58 weeks
• Gustavo Kuerten: 43 weeks
• Andy Murray: 41 weeks
• Ilie Năstase: 40 weeks
• Mats Wilander: 20 weeks
• Daniil Medvedev: 16 weeks
• Andy Roddick: 13 weeks
• Boris Becker: 12 weeks
• Marat Safin: 9 weeks
• John Newcombe: 8 weeks
• Thomas Muster: 6 weeks
• Carlos Moyá: 2 weeks
• Patrick Rafter: 1 week
• Alexander Zverev: 0 weeks (guaranteed to become world number one)

Looking Ahead

If Zverev secures the number one ranking at the Vienna Open, he will hold it for at least nine weeks. This achievement would mark a new chapter in men’s tennis, adding his name to the elite list of players who have reached the sport’s highest individual honor.