Alexander Zverev has become the oldest man in more than 50 years to reach world number one for the first time at age 29, capping a 2026 season in which he won the French Open and US Open titles.
The German, diagnosed with type 1 diabetes at four, had previously been considered the best male player never to win a Grand Slam. His breakthrough came after a tactical shift inspired by 10 days spent with Rafael and Toni Nadal in Mallorca in July 2025, where he adopted a more aggressive, risk-taking style.
Zverev overcame cramping in the French Open final against Flavio Cobolli to win the deciding set 6-1, then reached the Wimbledon final where he lost to Jannik Sinner in four sets. He has now lost 10 consecutive matches to Sinner, setting up a potential three-way rivalry with Sinner and Carlos Alcaraz in 2027.
His success is a family affair: father Alex Sr has been a constant coaching presence, while older brother Mischa joined the team after retiring. Zverev credits his parents for never forcing him into tennis.
However, Zverev's rise has been accompanied by controversy. In 2020, ex-partner Olga Sharypova accused him of physical abuse; an ATP investigation found insufficient evidence. In 2023, a German court issued a 450,000 euro penalty order for bodily harm against another ex-girlfriend, Brenda Patea, but proceedings were terminated in May 2024 after a settlement. Zverev has denied all allegations and said he considers the matter closed.
He was also given a suspended eight-week ban in 2022 for smashing his racquet into an umpire's chair at the Mexican Open, and faced heckling at tournaments in 2025.
