It won’t be long before Alexander Zverev officially becomes the new world number one, and it could happen at the Vienna Open next week.

Following Carlos Alcaraz’s shocking early exit from the Shanghai Masters, Zverev officially secured year-end number one status. Regardless of what happens between now and the conclusion of the season, the German will become the first man from his country to rise to the top spot in the rankings since Boris Becker in 1991.

Alexander Zverev’s draw at the 2026 Vienna Open

Zverev needs just two wins at the Vienna Open to officially rise above current world number one Jannik Sinner in the ATP rankings. In his first match at the ATP 500 tournament, the 29-year-old will take on Spanish wildcard Martin Landaluce, whom he has never faced before.

Landaluce, just 20 years of age, has enjoyed a breakthrough year on the ATP Tour, reaching the quarterfinals at the Miami Open and the Italian Open. Should Zverev advance past the young star, he will take on either Tallon Griekspoor or Brandon Nakashima.

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Nakashima trails Zverev 0-6 in their head-to-head, but Griekspoor could cause the two-time major champion some problems, having beaten him three times before. The Dutchman defeated Zverev in their most recent clash at the Canadian Open, coming back from a set down to triumph.

Zverev is then projected to face Frances Tiafoe in the quarterfinals and Alex de Minaur in the semifinals, both of whom are in pursuit of ATP Finals qualification. His toughest test, by far, will come in the final if he gets there: Alcaraz.

Alcaraz received a late wildcard for the Vienna Open and will be seeded second there. The Spaniard has faced Zverev once this season, beating him in the semifinals of the Australian Open before completing the Career Grand Slam.

Amid claims that Zverev does not deserve to be world number one, he could really do with a victory over Alcaraz at the Vienna Open. Following this campaign, Zverev will compete at the Paris Masters and then the ATP Finals.