The world's best player, Jannik Sinner, will return to action this week in Beijing, entering his first tournament since winning the US Open crown. The Italian is enjoying his 16th week as world no. 1, matching Daniil Medvedev and moving closer to the next opponent on the list.
ADVERTISEMENT
Jannik has forged a massive advantage over his closest rivals and will match the seven-time Major winner Mats Wilander in four weeks. With 9000 ATP points on his tally on the ATP Race list, Sinner will likely secure his first year-end no.
1 honor and crown an incredible season with another notable achievement. The San Candido native is 55-5 in 2024, lifting the Tour-leading six ATP titles, including two Majors and two Masters 1000 shields. Jannik had a notable run in the second part of 2023, starting with the Wimbledon semi-final and the Canada Masters crown.
The Italian suffered only two losses after the US Open, claiming two ATP 500 trophies and leading Italy toward their first Davis Cup crown since 1976.
Also, the young gun notched two wins over Novak Djokovic at the final two events, gathering a boost ahead of 2024.
ADVERTISEMENT
Eager for more big results, Sinner entered this year's Australian Open as one of the favorites. World no. 4 reached the semi-final in style and set the duel against the ten-time champion Novak Djokovic. The Italian outplayed the Serb, facing no break points and overpowering the legend in every segment en route to his first Major final.
Jannik dropped the opening two sets against Daniil Medvedev before performing a memorable comeback, earning a 3-6, 3-6, 6-4, 6-4, 6-3 victory and becoming a Major champion at 22. Carried by this boost, he extended his winning ATP 500 streak, conquering the crown in Rotterdam and heading to Indian Wells with a 12-0 score.
An in-form player suffered the first loss of the season in the semi-final, falling to Carlos Alcaraz and hoping for a better run in Miami.
ADVERTISEMENT
Jannik Sinner enjoys his 16th week as world no.
1, with more to come.
Sinner dropped 13 games in the final three duels, lifting the third title of the season and dominating the ATP Race ahead of the clay swing. World no. 2 squandered the advantage against Stefanos Tsitsipas in the Monte Carlo semi-final and left the Madrid Masters ahead of the quarter-final due to a hip injury.
Jannik skipped the home Rome Masters and returned to action in Paris, extending his streak at Majors and reaching the semi-final. The Italian missed his chances against Carlos Alcaraz, failing to reach the title clash but dethroning Novak Djokovic, becoming the 29th world no.
ADVERTISEMENT
1 in ATP history. After conquering the ATP ranking list, Sinner secured another ATP 500 title in Halle, prevailing over his great friend Hubert Hurkacz and keeping Novak Djokovic and Carlos Alcaraz behind ahead of Wimbledon.
Last year's semi-finalist could repeat that run at the All England Club, struggling physically in the quarter-final against Daniil Medvedev and falling in five sets despite a notable effort.
World no.
1 blew a set point in the third set before making a fresh start in the fourth. Still, he could not perform a complete comeback, falling in the decider and hoping for a better run at the Olympic Games. The Italian could not seek a medal at Roland Garros, withdrawing due to tonsillitis and missing one of the most important tournaments of the season.
ADVERTISEMENT
Jannik moved to the hard court and returned to action in Montreal, losing to Andrey Rublev after more physical issues, failing to defend last year's title and losing 800 ATP points. Sinner recovered ahead of Cincinnati and conquered his second Masters 1000 crown of the season following wins over Rublev, Alexander Zverev and Frances Tiafoe, adding 1000 ATP points to his tally and increasing his ATP Race advantage.
The Italian took down Tiafoe 7-6, 6-2 in the title clash, earning the 15th ATP trophy and the fifth of the season. A day later, the shocking news shook the tennis world with the announcement of Jannik's two failed doping tests in March for a banned anabolic steroid!
World no. 1 lost 400 ATP points from Indian Wells but avoided further restrictions or suspensions. The ITIA revealed low levels of clostebol after tests on March 10 and March 18.
ADVERTISEMENT
The banned substance reached the Italian's body from a team member who used a spray containing clostebol to treat a wound on his hand. Sinner appealed after both positive tests, continuing to compete without restrictions and becoming world no.
1 three months later. The Italian traveled to New York with many question marks above his head, although with a strong faith in his innocence. The world's best player left this behind and focused on his tennis at the last Major of the season.
Carlos Alcaraz and Novak Djokovic suffered early defeats, leaving Jannik as the top favorite. He proved that on the court, defeating seven rivals and becoming a two-time Major winner at 23. Sinner ousted Tommy Paul, Daniil Medvedev, Jack Draper and Taylor Fritz, keeping his composure in five tight sets and emerging at the top.
ADVERTISEMENT
With 2000 ATP points, the Italian has almost secured the year-end no. 1 honor, although he wants more trophies, starting from Beijing.
