Jannik Sinner is the 19th year-end no. 1 player in ATP history. The Italian kicked off the season with the Australian Open title and backed it with six more ATP trophies, leaving everyone behind and standing as a player to beat. Jannik is 67-6 this year, chasing his sixth notable trophy of the season at the ATP Finals after conquering two Majors and three Masters 1000 shields. Sinner received a beautiful trophy for the year-end no. 1 achievement in front of the home fans in Turin, with the six-time Major winner Boris Becker joining the ceremony.
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Becker praises Sinner
Despite that many Major titles on his tally, Becker never finished the season at the top, earning three year-end no. 2 honors instead. The German explained the unique feeling of becoming the world's best player and praised the Italian's effort to get there. Boris highlighted Jannik's determination alongside his talent, reminding everyone that he left home at 13 to chase his dream and become world no. 1 one day. Becker glorified Sinner's season and his consistency at 23. The German sees the Italian as a player to beat in the upcoming years despite Carlos Alcaraz and other rivals, predicting more year-end no. 1 achievements on his tally.
Jannik's strong end to the 2023 season and tennis glory
While showing his talent already in 2019, Sinner became a contender for the ATP throne in the second part of 2023. He lost to Novak Djokovic in the Wimbledon semi-final before lifting his first Masters 1000 crown in Montreal. Jannik conquered the ATP 500 trophies in Beijing and Vienna, becoming world no. 4 and hoping for another title in front of the home fans in Turin. Sinner defeated Djokovic for the first time in the round-robin stage and reached the final, falling against the Serb in straight sets and finishing runner-up. The young gun and the veteran met for the third time in ten days at the Davis Cup Finals, with Jannik defending three match points and beating the greatest player of all time for the second time.
Sinner led Italy toward the first Davis Cup crown since 1976 and used that momentum at the beginning of 2024. The 22-year-old stood among the Australian Open favorites and proved that on the court. The Italian dethroned Djokovic in the semi-final, facing no break points and moving over the top in four sets. Sinner trailed two sets to love in the title clash against Daniil Medvedev before performing an incredible comeback, sealing the deal in a five-setter and becoming a Major champion.
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Jannik returned to Europe and claimed another title in Rotterdam over Alex de Minaur. He counted 16 consecutive wins at the beginning of the season before Carlos Alcaraz delivered his first defeat in the Indian Wells semi-final. Sinner bounced back in Miami, giving away 13 games in the last six sets for his second Masters 1000 crown. The Italian fell to Stefanos Tsitsipas in Monte Carlo and withdrew ahead of the quarter-final duel in Madrid due to hip problems. Sinner missed Rome and recovered ahead of Roland Garros. He squandered two sets to one lead against Alcaraz in the semi-final, hitting the exit door but earning enough points to dethrone Novak Djokovic and become the 29th world no. 1 since 1973.
Too strong for everyone, Jannik wins another Major and becomes the year-end no. 1 player
Competing as world no. 1 for the first time, Sinner added the fourth ATP title of the season to his collection in Halle, beating Hubert Hurkacz in a tight final. He could not chase another at Wimbledon, struggling physically against Daniil Medvedev in the quarter-final and hitting the exit door despite having his chances. Jannik withdrew from the Olympic Games in Paris due to illness and lost the Canada Masters crown when Andrey Rublev beat him in the quarter-final. The Italian fixed that in Cincinnati, defeating Rublev, Alexander Zverev and Frances Tiafoe to lift his second Masters 1000 crown of the season. The doping scandal could not shake Sinner's confidence ahead of the US Open.
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Djokovic and Alcaraz experienced early losses, and world no. 1 used that with both hands. He took down Tommy Paul, Daniil Medvedev, Jack Draper and Taylor Fritz en route to his second Major trophy of the season, extending the gap over his closest rivals and terminating the year-end no. 1 battle. Jannik lost his first final of the season in Beijing, falling to Carlos Alcaraz after a thriller and ending his ATP 500 winning streak. The Italian responded in Shanghai, defeating Novak Djokovic in the final and securing his third Masters 1000 trophy of the season. World no. 1 defeated Daniil Medvedev, Novak Djokovic and Carlos Alcaraz at the Six Kings Slam in Riyadh, taking him whooping $6 million! Sinner trained at the Paris Masters before withdrawing due to a virus ahead of his first match, heading home to Monte Carlo and training for the ATP Finals.
Sinner seeks his first ATP Finals trophy in Turin
The home favorite is 2-0 in Turin following victories over Alex de Minaur and Taylor Fritz, ousting both rivals in straight sets and standing near the semi-final berth. Jannik is seeking his eighth ATP title of the season and sixth above the ATP 500 level, trying to make his lead over the closest rivals even more significant ahead of 2025.
"Jannik's success did not surprise me. I have known him for years, and while his talent was never in doubt, his determination stood out and made a difference. He has lived and breathed tennis since leaving home at 13, trying to become the best player in the world. Jannik is 66-6 this year, winning two Major titles and showing exceptional maturity. His consistency at only 23 is extraordinary. He always maintains a certain level and never drops below it. Carlos Alcaraz and other players will challenge him, but Jannik should remain a man to beat for many years," Boris Becker said.
