Alexander Zverev clinches year-end world No.1 as Sinner exits season
Alexander Zverev becomes year-end world No.1 after Jannik Sinner withdraws from the season due to knee injury.
Alexander Zverev has secured the year-end world No.1 ranking after Jannik Sinner announced his withdrawal from the rest of the 2026 season. Sinner is sidelined by a knee injury requiring treatment and will lose more than 3,000 ranking points.
The withdrawal means Sinner cannot defend his Paris Masters and ATP Finals titles. Alcaraz returned to competition and won the Japan Open, his first title in nearly eight months after recovering from a wrist injury.
Zverev has won two Grand Slam titles this year and will become only the second German, after Boris Becker, to reach world No.1. Even without winning another match, Zverev's lead is insurmountable.
- more than 3,000
- Ranking points Sinner forfeits
- 2 in 2026
- Grand Slams Zverev won
- Sinner 5-0 over Zverev
- Head-to-head 2026
- nearly 8 months
- Alcaraz's title drought broken
Why it mattersThe ranking shift marks a major change at the top of men's tennis after Sinner's dominant year.
AustraliaAustralian tennis fans track the world rankings, where Alcaraz and Zverev now dominate the race for year-end No.1.
✓ Claims checked against the source. checked 53 min ago
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