Jannik Sinner is celebrating a massive milestone this week! The Italian is spending his 40th week on the ATP throne, becoming the 16th player to achieve that since 1973. Jannik matched Ilie Nastase, and he will pass Andy Murray and Gustavo Kuerten in the next four weeks.
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Thus, hewill become the 13th player with at least 44 world no. 1 weeks in April. His next target will be Jim Courier on 58. Jannik conquered the ATP throne in June last year, defending it superbly for nine months and preparing for more!
The Italian has been the dominant figure since the beginning of 2024, earning 93 wins in the previous 100 matches since the end of 2023! Hisjourney hit abump when he madean agreement with the World Anti-Doping Agency (WADA)after testing positive two times for a banned anabolic steroid Clostebol in March 2024.
World no. 1accepted a three-month suspension, missing all the action until May 4 and preparing hisreturn forthe home Masters 1000 event in Rome. Thus, Jannik is missing four Masters 1000 events, although it will not cost him much!
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Alexander Zverev has struggled to reduce the gap to Sinner at his previous four tournaments, leaving the Italian with a realistic chance of maintaining the ATP throne until his return. Jannik embraced a stellar run in 2024, winning 73 of 79 matches!
He lifted eight ATP trophies and left everyone far behind after no one could have matched his consistency. Sinner dominated the hard courts, lifting two Majors and three Masters 1000 crowns, while backing them with the ATP Finals crown!
It all started at the Australian Open, where he ousted Novak Djokovic and Daniil Medvedev en route to his first Major trophy at 22. Jannik conquered Rotterdam and Miami for a clear lead in the ATP Race. He could not keep that level on clay after dealing with hip issues.
Sinner withdrew from the Rome Masters, which could help him this year. The Italian reached the Roland Garros semi-final and wasted a two sets to one lead against Carlos Alcaraz. However, he collected enough points to dethrone Novak Djokovic and become the 29th world no. 1.
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Jannik claimed his first ATP title as world no. 1 in Halle before reaching the Wimbledon quarter-final. The Italian missed the Olympic Games and returned stronger on hard court. Sinner claimed titles in Cincinnati and the US Open, extending his brilliant streak on the most common surface.
Not stopping there, Jannik defeated Novak in the Shanghai Masters final and prepared for the last-season surge at the ATP Finals in Turin. The outcome? He hoisted a trophy without losing a set in five duels.
World no. 1 led Italy toward the Davis Cup title defense in Malaga and wrapped up a historical season in full glory. Sinner was the favorite at this year's Australian Open. Seeking the title defense, the Italian lost two sets in seven matches and dominated the field.
He ousted world no. 2 Alexander Zverev 6-3, 7-6, 6-3 in the final for his third consecutive hard-court Major trophy. Off the court, however, his doping scandalcast a shadow over his performance!
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After almost a year of pressure anduncertainty, Jannik made an agreementwith WADA, accepting a suspension from February 9 to May 4. Thus, he lost 1600 ATP points but did not skip any Major event. Sinner will compete again in Rome, most likely as world no. 1.
