Christo Popov is the new world number one

Christo Popov reached the final of the YONEX Swiss Open in Basel in 2025. Since 27 October 2026, the Frenchman has topped the men's singles world ranking – the first French player ever to do so.

The 24-year-old secured his rise to the top by winning the French Open in Paris (Super 750). In the final, he beat Indonesia's Moh. Zaki Ubaidillah 21-11, 14-21, 21-13. Popov is the first Frenchman to win his home tournament since Henri Pellizza in 1946. A year earlier, he had lost the final in Paris to Anders Antonsen.

Popov already showed his class at the St. Jakobshalle in March 2025: he beat Li Shi Feng in straight games in the semi-final before losing the final to China's Weng Hong Yang.

Together with world champion Alex Lanier, Christo Popov embodies the rise of French men's singles. Our warmest congratulations – and we look forward to the next edition of the YONEX Swiss Open in Basel from 16 to 21 March 2027!