Dominant, familiar tennis players like Novak Djokovic, Roger Federer, and Rafael Nadal have recently been facing new challenges to their game from rising stars. Among these is a 20 year old German tennis player, Alexander Zverev, who is currently on track to disrupt the stronghold of the world’s best.

Zverev started playing tennis from a very young age with his parents, Alexander Sr. (who competed professionally in the Soviet Union) and Irina. Being such an aggressive baseliner with a strong serve and excellent backhand, it’s no doubt that Zverev is rapidly accomplishing many firsts in his flourishing career. As a junior, between October 2013 and June 2014, Zverev was ranked No. 1 for boys and compiled a singles win/loss record of 96–35. With his brother Mischa Zverev also being a professional tennis player, Alex has described that being able to compete with his brother always pushed him to strive to win every match and dominate the rankings.

In winning his first ATP World Tour Masters 1000 title against former #1 Novak Djokovic on Sunday at the Internazionali BNL d’Italia, his ranking jumped from #83 in the world at the start of this year to now #10. Zverev has always looked to Novak Djokovic as a role model in his tennis development growing up. With the French Open starting on Sunday, May 28th, Alexander Zverev is one of the players in the running for champion given his outstanding clay-court performance. He is most likely to defeat nine-time champion Rafael Nadal, currently ranked #1 Andy Murray, and 2016 French Open winner Novak Djokovic. Given the young 20 year old tennis player’s success this year, many can say there is a good chance Alexander Zverev will continue to rise in rankings and become the best in the world.