Zverev Closing In on World No. 1 Tennis Ranking
Listen to the story
Alexander Zverev is a tennis player from Germany. He may soon become the world No. 1. This means he will be the best player on the ranking list.
People are talking about when this will happen. News sites are asking: how soon can Zverev get to the top?
Some people think Zverev does not deserve the top spot yet. A man named Bertolucci does not agree with them. He said Zverev is 'not a usurper.' A usurper is someone who takes something that is not theirs in a bad way.
Bertolucci supports Zverev. He thinks Zverev earned his place at the top. People are now waiting for Zverev's coronation. A coronation is a special moment when someone becomes the new leader or champion.
Vocabulary15 words
- world No. 1
- the best player; top of the list
- ranking
- a list that shows who is best
- usurper
- a person who takes a place that is not theirs; not fair
- coronation
- a special moment when someone becomes the top champion
- tennis
- a sport played with a ball and a racket
- earned
- got something because you worked hard for it
- champion
- the best player; a winner
- defends
- says someone is right when others say they are wrong
- criticism
- when people say bad things about someone
- spot
- a place or position
- top
- the highest place
- deserve
- to be good enough to get something
- player
- a person who plays a sport
- news sites
- websites that tell us about new things happening
- soon
- in a short time
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Quiz
Answer key
1. Tennis 2. The best-ranked player 3. He is not a usurper
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Fill-in-the-blank listening
Play the audio again and fill in the missing words as you listen.
Alexander Zverev is a tennis player from _____. He may soon become the world _____. This means he will be the best player on the _____ list.
People are talking about when this will _____. News sites are asking: how soon can Zverev get to the _____?
Some people think Zverev does not _____ the top spot yet. A man named Bertolucci does not agree with them. He said Zverev is 'not a _____.' A usurper is someone who takes something that is not theirs in a bad way.
Bertolucci _____ Zverev. He thinks Zverev earned his place at the top. People are now waiting for Zverev's _____.
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