Zverev Controls His Destiny In Battle For World No. 1
Zverev Controls His Destiny In Battle For World No. 1
Following Novak Djokovic’s loss to Rafael Nadal in the Roland Garros quarter-finals, Alexander Zverev now controls his destiny in the battle for No. 1 in the Pepperstone ATP Rankings.
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 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.
Potential Pepperstone ATP Rankings Points (6 June) Based On RG Result
| 6 June | 4R | QF | SF | F | W |
| Novak Djokovic | – | 8770 | – | – | – |
| Daniil Medvedev | 8160 | – | – | – | – |
| Alexander Zverev | – | – | 7795 | 8275 | 9075 |
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 players’ Pepperstone ATP 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 top spot for three weeks earlier this year.
Potential Pepperstone ATP Rankings Points (13 June) Based On RG Result
| 13 June | 4R | QF | SF | F | W |
| Novak Djokovic | – | 6770 | – | – | – |
| Daniil Medvedev | 7800 | – | – | – | – |
| Alexander Zverev | – | – | 7075 | 7555 | 8355 |
The week of 13 June will mark the first week since 10 November 2003 that at least one member of the ‘Big Four’ — Djokovic, Nadal, Roger Federer and Andy Murray — will not be in the top two of the Pepperstone ATP Rankings.