India, Oct. 13 -- Alexander Zverev will finish 2026 as the year-end World No. 1 for the first time in his career, capping a season in which he won the French Open and US Open to claim the first two Grand Slam titles of his career. The German's place at the top was confirmed after Carlos Alcaraz suffered a shock defeat to Zizou Bergs at the Shanghai Masters. At the same time, Jannik Sinner's season-ending knee injury had already weakened his challenge for the year-end honour. Zverev had secured the distinction, becoming the first German and the oldest first-time year-end No. 1.

Yet the achievement comes with a compelling question for tennis fans: is Alexander Zverev a deserving World No. 1 when he has struggled against the three biggest n...