Jannik Sinner stands 4800 ATP points clear of Carlos Alcaraz at the top of the ATP ranking list. The Italian is spending his 20th week as world no. 1, matching Mats Wilander and having Alcaraz within his sight. The Spaniard earned 36 world no. 1 weeks in 2022 and 2023, and his great rival will pass him in February 2025 if he maintains this form. Jannik has been by far the most consistent player in 2024, never losing before the quarter-final and lifting seven trophies. The two-time Major winner will wrap up the season as the year-end no. 1 player, although he wants more success at the Paris Masters, the ATP Finals and the Davis Cup Finals. Improving all the elements of his game, Sinner became one of the world’s best players in the second part of 2023. He defeated Novak Djokovic two times in the closing stages of the season and lifted Italy’s first Davis Cup trophy since 1976, gathering a boost ahead of 2024 and using it with both hands.
Jannik Sinner, Shanghai Masters 2024© Stream screenshot
Jannik’s incredible start to the season
Jannik lost one match in the opening three months of 2024, collecting 3500 ATP points and lifting three trophies. The Italian was among the Australian Open favorites, proving that on the court and becoming a Major winner at 22. Facing Novak Djokovic for the fourth time within two months, Sinner ousted the ten-time Australian Open champion with a strong performance in the semi-final, reaching his first Major final. The young gun kept the veteran away from break points and sealed the deal with a strong performance in sets one, two and four. Jannik had to dig deep against Daniil Medvedev in the title clash, dropping the opening two sets before producing a career-best comeback in a 3-6, 3-6, 6-4, 6-4, 6-3 victory en route to a trophy. Sinner returned to Europe and claimed another title in Rotterdam ahead of the Sunshine Double. The Italian embraced a 16-0 run at the beginning of the season before falling to Carlos Alcaraz in the semi-final in the desert. Jannik fixed that in Miami, leaving the final three opponents miles behind and winning the second Masters 1000 crown.
Jannik Sinner & Carlos Alcaraz, Beijing 2023© Stream screenshot
Sinner adds more good results on clay and grass
Sinner played well on clay and grass, winning one title and achieving good results at Roland Garros and Wimbledon. The ATP Race leader fell to Stefanos Tsitsipas in the Monte Carlo semi-final before withdrawing ahead of the Madrid Masters quarter-final due to hip issues. The home favorite skipped the Rome Masters and took some time off the court ahead of Roland Garros. Jannik reached the semi-final in Paris and had a chance against Carlos Alcaraz, leading two sets to one before losing ground, suffering his first loss at Majors this year. Sinner earned enough points to pass Novak Djokovic and become the 29th world no. 1 since 1973. Competing as the world’s best player for the first time, the Italian lifted the trophy in Halle, keeping his main rivals behind ahead of Wimbledon. Jannik fell in the quarter-final at the All England Club, struggling physically against Daniil Medvedev and losing in five sets and giving everything to prevail.
Jannik Sinner, Shanghai Masters 2024© Stream screenshot
Olympic Games withdrawal and US Open mastery
Sinner revealed tonsillitis and withdrew from the Olympic Games in Paris, not chasing a medal for his country. However, he would fix that a few weeks later in New York. The Italian fell to Andrey Rublev in Canada, losing the title and 800 ATP points. He raised his level again in Cincinnati, defeating Rublev, Alexander Zverev and Frances Tiafoe en route to his second Masters 1000 shield of the season. Despite a massive doping controversy, Jannik maintained his composure at the US Open, using Djokovic’s and Alcaraz’s early losses and setting his eyes on the trophy. Sinner bested Tommy Paul, Daniil Medvedev and Jack Draper en route to the title clash against the home star, Taylor Fritz. Sinner sealed the deal in straight sets after another rock-solid performance, becoming the two-time Major winner at 23 and sealing the year-end no. 1 battle.
Jannik Sinner, Six Kings Slam 2024© Stream screenshot
Beijing, Shanghai and Six Kings Slam
Jannik fell to Carlos Alcaraz in the Beijing final before conquering Shanghai and the Six Kings Slam. The world’s best player reached the title clash in Beijing and embraced a notable battle, with the Spaniard prevailing 6-7, 6-4, 7-6 in three hours and 21 minutes. Sinner suffered his first ATP 500 loss after 24 wins and bounced back on the big stage in Shanghai. The Italian defeated six rivals en route to his fourth Masters 1000 title, extending his streak against Novak Djokovic with a 7-6, 6-3 triumph in the final. Jannik did not face a break point. He claimed a tight opener and broke Novak once in the second set en route to his fifth notable title of 2024. The world’s best players moved to Riyadh, entering the Six Kings Slam. Sinner ousted Djokovic in the semi-final and bested Alcaraz in the final, taking home $6,000,000, the largest prize money in tennis history.