Jannik Sinner reigns strongly on the ATP throne! The 23-year-old Italian in enjoying his 39th consecutive week as world no. 1, moving closer to a milestone. The three-time Major winner will pass Ilie Nastase, Andy Murray and Gustavo Kuerten in the next five weeks.
Thus, Sinner will become the 13th player with at least 44 world no. 1 weeks in ATP history since 1973. The 23-year-old claimed the top spot in June of the previous year, and no one has challenged him since! It has to be said that Jannik holds no strings in his hands!
His journey hit a bump when he struck an agreement with the World Anti-Doping Agency (WADA) after testing positive two times for a banned anabolic steroid named Clostebol in March 2024.
Jannik Sinner: mentality monster 😈@bondisands • #BondiSands • #StayCool • #AusOpen • #AO2025 • @wwos • @ESPN • @Eurosport • @WOWOWtennis pic.twitter.com/k5466EHIXW
— #AusOpen (@AustralianOpen) January 24, 2025
The Italian accepted a three-month suspension, missing all the action until May 4 and planning to return at the home Masters 1000 event in Rome. Despite the ban, which will cost him four Masters 1000 events, Jannik’s lead atop the rankings remains strong.
His nearest challenger, Alexander Zverev, struggled to close the gap in the previous three weeks. The German collected miserable 200 ATP points in Buenos Aires, Rio de Janeiro and Acapulco, lagging far behind the three-time Major winner.
Jannik Sinner, Shanghai Masters 2024© Stream screenshot
The Italian’s 2024 season was nothing short of spectacular! Sinner embraced a 73-6 record and eight ATP titles, leaving all the rivals behind! His haul featured two Majors, three Masters 1000 crowns and the ATP Finals, showcasing his hard-court dominance and etching his name into tennis history.
Jannik’s journey toward glory started at the Australian Open, where the 4th seed defeated Novak Djokovic and Daniil Medvedev. The Italian turned the tables in the final against the Russian and came from two sets to love down to claim his first Major title at 22.
Jannik Sinner, ATP Finals 2024© Stream screenshot
Carried by that boost, the young gun conquered Rotterdam and Miami and established himself as the player to beat after the opening three months. Sinner withdrew from the Madrid Masters due to a hip injury and skipped the home Masters 1000 event.
Will that help Jannik this year? Certainly, as he could launch his comeback with fresh 1000 ATP points in Rome. The Italian recovered for Roland Garros and reached the semi-final. He led two sets to one against Carlos Alcaraz before the Spaniard stepped in and ousted the ATP Race leader.
ATP Finals 2024© Stream screenshot
Sinner collected enough points and ascended to world no. 1 position, becoming the 29th player on the ATP throne since 1973. Jannik played his first tournament as world no. 1 in Halle. His result? The title, of course!
The Italian gave everything against Daniil Medvedev in the Wimbledon quarter-final despite not feeling well. Sinner fell in five sets and missed the Olympic Games in Paris. Jannik returned with a vengeance on his beloved hard court!
Jannik Sinner, Australian Open 2025© Stream screenshot
He won the title in Cincinnati and repeated that at the US Open, completing hard-court Majors in 2024. The year-end no. 1 race was almost over, but Sinner did not stop there. The Italian claimed his third Masters 1000 title of the season over the four-time champion Novak Djokovic in Shanghai.
Sinner withdrew ahead of the Paris Masters and recovered for the ATP Finals at home in Turin. The crowd’s favorite steamrolled five opponents in straight sets, earning 1500 ATP points and lifting his eighth trophy of 2024!
Jannik closed the year at the Davis Cup Finals in Malaga, guiding Italy to a successful title defense and securing another trophy. Sinner was the favorite at the 2025 Australian Open. The defending champion proved that on the court after dropping two sets in seven encounters.
Australian Open 2025© Stream screenshot
Jannik faced world no. 2 Alexander Zverev in the final and won 6-3, 7-6, 6-3 after a rock-solid display. Thus, he extended his incredible streak and kept 2000 ATP points on his impressive tally. Off the court, however, his doping scandal cast a shadow.
After almost a year of pressure and uncertainty, Jannik settled with WADA, accepting a suspension from February 9 to May 4. Thus, the three-time Major winner will drop 1,600 ATP points between Indian Wells and Madrid ahead of the return at Foro Italico.
Sinner will likely serve his suspension without stepping away from the ATP throne, which will give him an additional boost ahead of Rome, Paris and London.
Tennis World USA