Alexander Zverev: “A very special day”

Officially crowned the 30th world No.1 in ATP Rankings history following Monday morning’s rankings update, Alexander Zverev reflected on the achievement in front of the media just minutes after receiving the year-end world No.1 trophy on centre court at the Plenitude Arena. Proud and emotional, the 2024 Rolex Paris Masters champion also spoke about the ambitions that continue to drive him forward.

How does it feel to be world No.1?

Alexander Zverev: It's a very special day, for sure. I think Paris has been quite special to me this year, generally. It's a place where I had a lot of up-and-downs, I had a lot of heartbreak, but this year, of course, winning my first Grand Slam here and becoming World No. 1, it's a very special feeling.

In terms of emotions, is becoming world No.1 as significant as winning a Grand Slam title?

In Paris, when I won my first Grand Slam, it was different kind of emotions, because I was thinking that I was, first, maybe never going to do it. I had a lot of heartbreaks, a lot of tough moments, I had a lot of losses in the finals. So that was a different kind of feeling. To finally make it, it was the biggest relief that I have ever felt in my career. But both trophies are individually special and individually different, because winning Grand Slam is the biggest tournament that we can win in tennis. For me, the Olympics is also one of the biggest trophies that you can win. But this, you have to play the best season for an entire year. It's a completely different feeling, but this feels special, as well.

Now that you are world No.1 and a two-time Grand Slam champion, what are your goals for next season?

Fore sure I had a great season, and I'm very happy. Winning two Grand Slams, World No. 1, and all that, for sure. But of course there are so many other things that I still want to achieve and I still have goals to achieve. And I think it's very important in any sports or any person's life to have certain goals that are set for you, which I definitely do. I'm looking forward to the top two guys being healthy again, playing fully and competing with them. I look forward to that challenge, as well. I feel like this year was the first time I could play on the grass court in my life (smiling). Before, I didn't know what to do on the grass court. I definitely feel like I can compete for all the four Grand Slams. Of course, hopefully getting a few more would be great for me.

How would you assess your current level, both physically and tennis-wise?

I feel good. In Shanghai, I was tired, my battery was low, I was done. Then I took one week off, which helped me quite a lot. I didn't play tennis for one week. I actually felt good in Vienna, as well. I think the conditions were a bit difficult for me, and I think Alex (De Minaur) played a phenomenal match against me. Credit to him. Now, physically and energy-wise, I felt fine. And I expect to play good tennis the next couple of weeks as well.