How Alexander Zverev can become the next number one

Alexander Zverev has full control of whether he becomes the next world number one and here what needs to happen.

If the German wins Roland Garros, on 6 June he will become the 28th player to reach the top of the men’s tennis mountain. He next plays 13-time champion Nadal in the semi-finals. If Zverev does not lift his first Grand Slam trophy on Sunday, Djokovic will remain in the top spot for a record-extending 373rd week on 6 June. Zverev would climb to a career-high No. 2 next week if he loses in the final, and remain World No. 3 if he falls to Nadal.

However, Zverev is guaranteed to ascend to at least a career-high No. 2 on 13 June, when past Roland Garros points (from 2020-21) fall off the rankings regardless of his performance the rest of the tournament. Djokovic will fall to No. 3 that day when the 2,000 points he earned in Paris last year drop. If Zverev does not triumph in Paris, Daniil Medvedev will begin his second stint at World No. 1. He previously held the top spot for three weeks earlier this year.