Alexander Zverev to End 35-Year German Drought as Year-End No. 1 After Carlos Alcaraz's Upset in Shanghai

Carlos Alcaraz Stunned by Zizou Bergs at Shanghai Masters

In a surprising third-round result at the ATP Masters 1000 event in Shanghai, Carlos Alcaraz was ousted by Zizou Bergs on Monday. Bergs secured his biggest career victory by defeating Alcaraz in straight sets, 7-5, 7-6. Though Alcaraz appeared poised for a comeback after breaking Bergs’ serve while trailing 6-5 in the second set, the Belgian held firm in the tiebreak to clinch the match.

Recently crowned with his 27th ATP title at the Japan Open, Alcaraz suffered his fifth defeat of the season against Bergs.

Alexander Zverev Confirmed as 2026 Year-End World No. 1

Alcaraz’s exit from the tournament means he cannot secure the year-end number one spot. Since he missed last year's Shanghai event, he still gains points for reaching the third round, but that is not enough to surpass Alexander Zverev. With current world No. 1 Jannik Sinner sidelined due to a knee injury, Zverev is assured of finishing 2026 atop the rankings after an outstanding season.

The 29-year-old German claimed his first two Grand Slam titles this year, triumphing at Roland Garros and the US Open. He also reached the Wimbledon final, where he lost to Sinner, surpassing his previous best. Beyond the Slams, Zverev made the Madrid Open final, reached semifinals in Indian Wells, Miami, and Monte-Carlo, and helped Team Europe win the Laver Cup.

Zverev’s rise ends a 35-year drought for German men’s tennis at the top spot. He will be the first German man ranked No. 1 since Boris Becker in 1991. Across both men's and women's tennis, Zverev is the first German singles player to hold the top ranking since Angelique Kerber in 2017.

This milestone also breaks the recent dominance of Sinner and Alcaraz, as Zverev becomes the first new world No. 1 outside those two since Novak Djokovic in June 2024.

Zverev Reacts to Securing Year-End No. 1 Status

“It’s been a fantastic season for me winning in Paris and New York, and knowing that I will finish the year on top of the rankings is just a dream come true,” Zverev said via the ATP Tour’s Instagram page. “So much work and effort have been put into achieving this goal, especially after coming back from the ankle injury.”

He suffered a serious ankle injury in 2022 at Roland Garros, tearing all three lateral ligaments during his semifinal against Rafael Nadal. Zverev added, “I look forward to finishing the season in style.”

Currently competing at the Shanghai Masters where he has reached the fourth round, Zverev will next play at the Paris Masters before the year-end ATP Finals in Turin.

Alcaraz’s Ongoing Struggles at Post-Grand Slam Masters Events

Alcaraz’s loss fits a pattern seen over his six-year career. The 23-year-old has found it difficult to advance past the quarterfinals at the two Masters 1000 events following Grand Slam tournaments: the Shanghai Masters and the Paris Masters.

He has reached the quarterfinals just once in each of these events, with a notably poor record in Paris, losing his opening match twice in the past three years.

• Event: Shanghai
• 2021: –
• 2022: –
• 2023: 4R
• 2024: QF
• 2025: –
• 2026: 3R

• Event: Paris
• 2021: 3R
• 2022: QF
• 2023: 2R
• 2024: 3R
• 2025: 2R
• 2026: –

The Shanghai and Paris Masters remain among the few ATP Masters 1000 titles Alcaraz has yet to capture, alongside the Canadian Open. He has only played the Canadian Open twice, never advancing past the quarterfinals.