Alcaraz loss secures Zverev year-end No. 1

Carlos Alcaraz’s defeat by Zizou Bergs in the Shanghai Masters on October 12 secured Alexander Zverev the ATP year-end No. 1 ranking, making him the first German to finish a season atop the men’s rankings. Bergs, an unseeded Belgian, beat second-seeded Alcaraz 7-5, 7-6(4) in the round of 32. The loss ended Alcaraz’s chance to claim the year-end top spot. Zverev’s position was confirmed after Ben Shelton had also been eliminated, leaving no remaining route for Alcaraz to overtake him under the tournament scenarios reported before the match. The achievement is Zverev’s first year-end No. 1 finish. At 29, he is also set to be the oldest first-time recipient of the distinction, according to the reported age comparison with Andre Agassi, who was 29 years and 214 days old when he first finished No. 1 in 1999. Zverev is expected to be 29 years and 217 days old on the date of the year-end rankings, November 23. Zverev, a French Open and US Open champion this season, said the year-end ranking was a dream come true and credited the work involved, particularly after returning from an ankle injury.