Having arrived in Vienna on Thursday evening, Alexander Zverev began his preparations for the Erste Bank Open on Friday. During his first practice session on Centre Court, the German familiarised himself with the conditions inside the Wiener Stadthalle.
There is plenty at stake for the 2021 Vienna champion this year. Zverev arrives not only as one of the leading title contenders but also with an opportunity to achieve a historic career milestone in Vienna.
Picture: e|motion/Florian Kleber
A chance to secure world no. 1 in Vienna
By reaching the quarter-finals of the Erste Bank Open, Zverev would collect enough ranking points to overtake Jannik Sinner at the top of the PIF ATP Rankings. It would therefore be confirmed during the tournament in Vienna that the 29-year-old will officially become World No. 1 for the first time on 2 November 2026.
Zverev would become only the second German man to reach the top of the world rankings after Boris Becker, who spent a total of 12 weeks at No. 1 in 1991.
The pursuit of World No. 1 has begun – and the first balls have already been struck on Centre Court at the Wiener Stadthalle.
