Alexander Zverev set to join Roger Federer and Ivan Lendl on exclusive list when he becomes world number one
Tennis star Alexander Zverev is on the verge of becoming the world number one, joining an exclusive group of players who achieved the top ranking at both junior and senior levels. The article discusses his career trajectory and the rarity of this dual achievement.
Why it matters
It provides context on the development paths of elite athletes and the historical significance of Zverev's upcoming ranking milestone.
Alexander Zverev is already guaranteed to become the newest world number one; it's now a matter of when rather than if.
Having already had opportunities to claim that title and failed, Vienna represents his latest and easiest thus far.
All he needs to do is win two matches and reach the quarter-finals.
When he eventually does ascend to the top of the world rankings, Alexander Zverev will join an elite list of players to have done so, becoming the 30th man in Open Era history to reach the pinnacle of tennis.
However, there is actually another, much shorter and more exclusive list that he will also join, which boasts legendary names like Roger Federer , Ivan Lendl and Stefan Edberg.
Many players have enjoyed hugely impressive junior careers in tennis, but gone on to struggle when it came time to translate that into senior success.
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