In May 2025, Italian Jannik Sinner holds the top spot in the men’s world tennis rankings, solidifying his position as ATP’s number 1 with 10,380 points, according to the latest update from the Association of Tennis Professionals. The list, reflecting players’ performances over the past 12 months, also features Carlos Alcaraz in second place and Alexander Zverev in third, while new names emerge among the top ten. The season, marked by tournaments like the Australian Open and the Rome Masters, brought significant changes in the standings. The rankings are updated weekly, based on points from up to 19 tournaments, including the four Grand Slams and Masters 1000 events. This competitive landscape signals a transitional phase in the sport, with young talents challenging veterans. The update was released on May 26, following the Rome Masters, setting the stage for Roland Garros expectations.
Sinner’s dominance in the circuit is clear since his Australian Open win in January, where he defeated Zverev in straight sets. The 23-year-old Italian also reached the Rome Masters final, adding 650 points. Alcaraz, meanwhile, won the Rome title, beating Sinner in the final, which allowed him to overtake Zverev and reclaim second place.
- Key ranking highlights:
- Jannik Sinner: 10,380 points, leading after Melbourne title.
- Carlos Alcaraz: 8,850 points, boosted by Rome victory.
- Alexander Zverev: 7,285 points, consistent on hard and clay courts.
Recent ranking developments
The 2025 season has seen notable shifts at the top of the ATP rankings. Sinner, who took the lead in 2024 after winning the ATP Finals, maintained his position with strong performances in high-level tournaments. His Australian Open campaign, defeating Zverev 6-4, 6-3, 6-2, marked his second Grand Slam title. The Italian has 85 wins in 92 matches since early 2024, making him a favorite for Roland Garros.
Alcaraz, 22, reclaimed second place after an inconsistent start to the year. His Rome Masters win, in a final against Sinner decided by 7-5, 6-4, was pivotal in surpassing Zverev. The Spaniard, with four Grand Slam titles, including Roland Garros 2024, has 8,850 points and aims to close the 1,530-point gap to the leader.
Zverev, with 7,285 points, remains a steady force. The German reached the Australian Open and Miami Masters semifinals but lost points after an early Monte Carlo exit. His 2023 season, with semifinals in Cincinnati and Miami, showed his high-level competitiveness, though 2025 has been a year of consolidation without new major titles.
Rising stars
The May 2025 top 10 also showcases emerging players. Taylor Fritz, from the United States, holds fourth place with 4,675 points, his career-high ranking. The American, who reached number 5 in 2023, delivered solid performances in Indian Wells and Miami, reaching the quarterfinals.
Jack Draper, a 23-year-old Briton, is another surprise, sitting fifth with 4,610 points. His rise began with a Cincinnati semifinal in 2024 and continued with an Australian Open quarterfinal. Draper is seen as a British tennis prospect, especially after Emma Raducanu’s fade from the spotlight.
- Notable players:
- Taylor Fritz: First American in the top 5 since Andy Roddick in 2009.
- Jack Draper: Young Briton rapidly rising on hard courts.
- Lorenzo Musetti: Italian in ninth, with refined technical style.
Competitive veterans
Novak Djokovic, 38, ranks sixth with 4,130 points. The Serb, record-holder with 428 weeks as world number 1, faced injuries in 2025, including an Australian Open withdrawal. Still, Djokovic won smaller tournaments, like the Belgrade ATP 250, and reached the Geneva quarterfinals, staying competitive. His Roland Garros participation is highly anticipated, given his five-set tournament experience.
Casper Ruud, a 26-year-old Norwegian, climbed to seventh with 3,715 points. A finalist at Roland Garros in 2022 and 2023, Ruud had a solid 2025 on clay, winning Barcelona and reaching Rome’s quarterfinals. His clay-court consistency makes him a player to watch in the French Grand Slam.
ATP points system
The ATP rankings are based on points earned over the past 52 weeks, considering each player’s top 19 results. Grand Slams award up to 2,000 points to the champion, while Masters 1000 events offer 1,000 points. ATP 500, 250, and Finals tournaments also contribute to the tally.
- Scoring criteria:
- Grand Slams: 2,000 points (champion), 1,200 (finalist), 720 (semifinalist).
- Masters 1000: 1,000 points (champion), 600 (finalist), 360 (semifinalist).
- ATP Finals: Up to 1,500 points for an undefeated champion.
Players qualifying for the ATP Finals, like Sinner and Alcaraz, can earn extra points, explaining the Italian’s consolidated lead. Excluding smaller tournaments for the top 10 ensures only high-level performances count.
Top 10 shifts
The May update brought significant changes. Alex de Minaur, Australian, dropped to eighth with 3,635 points after modest early-year results. Lorenzo Musetti, Italian, rose to ninth with 3,550 points, aided by a Barcelona semifinal. Holger Rune, Danish, closes the top 10 with 3,440 points but faces pressure after early losses in Miami and Monte Carlo.
- Recent movements:
- Casper Ruud: Climbed eight spots after clay-court success.
- Alex de Minaur: Lost ground with early eliminations.
- Holger Rune: Holds top 10 but needs consistency.
Clay season influence
The clay season, including Monte Carlo, Madrid, Rome Masters, and Roland Garros, directly impacts the rankings. Sinner, dominant on hard courts, improved on clay, reaching Monte Carlo quarterfinals and Rome’s final. Alcaraz, known for versatility, won Rome and is a Roland Garros favorite.
Ruud and Musetti, clay specialists, gained positions with strong showings. Conversely, players like Djokovic, who faced injuries or played fewer clay events, lost points. With Roland Garros starting May 25, the race for ranking spots intensifies.
Women’s rankings in parallel
In the WTA rankings, Aryna Sabalenka leads with 10,683 points, followed by Coco Gauff and Jessica Pegula. The Belarusian, 2024 US Open champion, solidified her top spot with a WTA Finals semifinal. Iga Swiatek, former number 1, fell to fifth after failing to defend Madrid and Rome titles.
- WTA top 5:
- Aryna Sabalenka: 10,683 points, leader post-WTA Finals.
- Coco Gauff: Second, consistent in Grand Slams.
- Jessica Pegula: Third, with Charleston titles.
Jasmine Paolini’s fourth-place rise, after winning the Rome Masters, underscores new talent. The women’s field, like the men’s, balances veterans and emerging players.
Roland Garros preparations
With Roland Garros underway, the May rankings set the seedings. Sinner, Alcaraz, and Zverev are top men’s favorites, while Sabalenka and Swiatek lead women’s expectations. The tournament, offering 2,000 points to the champion, could shake up the top ranks.
Djokovic, despite sixth place, remains a threat due to his Grand Slam experience. Rising players like Draper and Musetti aim to surprise in Paris, where clay conditions favor technical styles and physical endurance.
Smaller tournaments and new talent
Beyond Grand Slams and Masters 1000, ATP 500 and 250 events have spotlighted new names. The Belgrade ATP 250, won by Djokovic, and Barcelona, taken by Ruud, showcased young players like Arthur Fils and Coleman Wong, now in the top 50 despite not cracking the top 10.
Tennis’s renewal is clear, with 20-year-old Fils scoring big wins, like against Zverev in Miami. The men’s top 10 average age of 27 reflects a gradual shift, with veterans like Djokovic alongside talents like Draper and Musetti.
