Ben Shelton has made one of the biggest climbs in the latest ATP rankings after his run to the US Open 2026 final, while new champion Alexander Zverev has dramatically narrowed the gap to world No.1 Jannik Sinner, according to rankings updated on Monday, 14 September 2026. The reshuffle also sees Novak Djokovic fall outside the top 10 for the first time in years — a shift that marks a historic end of an era in men's tennis.

Shelton's grand slam leap

Shelton arrived at Flushing Meadows ranked ninth with 3,480 points. His debut Grand Slam final run earned him 1,200 additional points, lifting his tally to 4,680 and vaulting him to world No.5. The American now sits ahead of Felix Auger-Aliassime, Daniil Medvedev, Flavio Cobolli, Alex de Minaur, and Novak Djokovic — a remarkable repositioning for the hard-hitting left-hander who has rapidly emerged as one of the most compelling prospects in the game.

Zverev closes in on Sinner at the top

Zverev's title triumph in New York added 1,900 points to his tally, bringing him to 9,690 points. Sinner, who was absent from the tournament due to injury, lost 1,300 ranking points in the process, leaving him with 11,500 points. The gap between the world's top two has shrunk considerably, setting up what could be a tense race to the year-end No.1 position. Notably, Sinner's injury-enforced absence handed Zverev the clearest opening he has had in months to dislodge the Italian from the summit.

American charge: Tiafoe and Khachanov also benefit

Semifinalist Frances Tiafoe climbed four places, moving from 12th to eighth after banking 700 points — a boost that underlines the depth emerging in American men's tennis alongside Shelton. The other semifinalist, Karen Khachanov, made the tournament's most dramatic rankings jump, surging 24 places to reach No.26 after his run to the last four before losing to Zverev.

Djokovic's historic fall from the top 10

Novak Djokovic dropped seven places — from fifth to 12th — following a shock first-round exit at Flushing Meadows, his earliest loss at the US Open ever and his first opening-round defeat since the 2006 Australian Open. The fall means that none of the so-called Big Three — Djokovic, Rafael Nadal, and Roger Federer — features in the ATP top 10 for the first time since October 2002, closing one of the most dominant chapters in the history of the sport.

Djokovic spoke candidly about his physical struggles after the loss to Mariano Navone. 'I think it was obvious that it was an awful feeling on the court for me. It's something that I've been carrying, unfortunately, pretty much every match this year. Vomiting, throwing up, a serious issue there. Then my whole body starts to collapse, basically cramping and pain,' he said, as quoted by the ATP. The remarks raised fresh concerns about whether the Serbian great's body can sustain the demands of the Tour at the highest level.

What this reshuffle means for the season ahead

With the ATP Finals and indoor hard-court swing approaching, the rankings picture is more fluid than it has been in years. Sinner will need to defend his top spot without the luxury of a US Open points haul, while Zverev — buoyed by a Major title — will be motivated to maintain momentum. Shelton, meanwhile, enters the back half of the season as a legitimate top-five force for the first time.