Alexander Zverev beat Rafael Jodar 6-4 6-4 on November 15, 2026, at the ATP Finals in Turin to claim his first victory as world number one.
The German player produced a serving masterclass to dispatch the fast-rising Spanish competitor, dropping only 10 points on serve and hitting 10 aces, according to BBC Sport. Zverev landed an 84% first-serve rate and put constant pressure on the 20-year-old Jodar throughout the opening match.
Zverev walked onto the court wearing a custom black leather jacket with a number one printed on the back and carrying a gold racquet bag, underlining his status. He has taken full advantage of a year marked by injuries to Carlos Alcaraz and Jannik Sinner, winning two majors and reaching the Wimbledon final to rise to the top of the rankings.
The victory provided immediate relief after a difficult outing at the Paris Masters in November, where Zverev lost his first match as world number one. He broke Jodar early in the first set with a fine backhand down the line and secured another quick break in the second set before serving out the match.
“I felt a lot of joy being out there. In Paris I felt heavy,” Zverev told BBC Sport.
He added that he could not focus on tennis in Paris due to exhaustion and external pressures. In Turin, however, he felt light and in control of his body, according to his post-match comments.
Jodar, currently ranked 11th after starting the year outside the top 150, fought hard to stay in touch during the straight-sets defeat. He saved three further chances for a double-break lead in the second set before Zverev closed out the contest.
Earlier coverage: Alexander Zverev Mocks Journalist With Dark Humor at ATP Finals
Keep reading
