The ATP, the global association of professional tennis players, has officially kept the tennis world rankings since 1973. Since then, a total of 29 players have managed to top this world rankings as number one and are therefore considered the best player on the planet. These 29 tennis stars, including the new and current number one Jannik Sinner, have now been invited to the exclusive “ATP No. 1 Club”. The only German member is three-time Wimbledon champion Boris Becker.
The now 56-year-old led the tennis world rankings for a total of twelve weeks between January to February 1991 and July to September 1991, thus earning his right to membership in the exclusive “ATP No. 1 Club”, which includes all the world number one in ATP history should bring together. It was officially unveiled ahead of this year’s ATP Finals in Turin.
Boris Becker himself appeared emotional on the “Sky” microphone when he was asked about his invitation to this very prominent club: “If someone had told me that as a little boy, growing up as a little boy in Leimen, that I would one day be number one of the world in tennis and being part of this club, I would have called him crazy.”
In addition to Boris Becker, tennis greats such as Björn Borg, John McEnroe, Ivan Lendl, Pete Sampras, Roger Federer, Rafael Nadal and Novak Djokovic are also members of the “No. 1 Club”, all of whom rose to become world stars through their sport.
Becker names other number one candidates
“I feel very honored and very happy to be among my idols. I was the ninth number one out of a total of 29. If you look back, it was a great experience,” said Boris Becker, who in his career won a total of six Grand Slam tournaments.
When asked about the medium-term future of tennis, Becker also believes that other current tennis greats, alongside Jannik Sinner, can rise to the elite circle of world number one.
“Sascha (Zverev, editor’s note) is close, has been for some time. Alcaraz has also won two Grand Slams this year and not the one, it is a very hard-fought place. Other young players too If I mention a Ben Shelton, Holger Rune or Arthus Fils, for me they are all players who have the potential to be at the top at some point.”
Source: www.sport.de
