Despite his three-month ban from the professional tour – which ends on May 4 – Jannik Sinner is almost certain to maintain the first position in the ATP ranking.
The Italian ace – who played only one tournament in 2025 – has created such a wide gap compared to all his opponents that he is not particularly affected by this period away from tournaments. The world number 1 had started the new season in the best possible way by winning the Australian Open for the second year in a row, moreover with a demonstration of absolute superiority against Alexander Zverev in the final.
Sascha Zverev and Carlos Alcaraz would have needed some really outstanding results in these three months to be able to dethrone Jannik before his return, but neither player handled the pressure well and their performances were often disappointing.
After losing the final at Melbourne Park, the German ace has struggled a lot to play his best tennis and has collected a series of negative results in the last month and a half. Sascha’s level was disastrous in the three tournaments in South America and did not improve even in the first Masters 1000 of 2025 – the ‘BNP Paribas Open’ in Indian Wells – where he was eliminated already in the second round.
Carlitos – on the other hand – had started well by lifting his first trophy in indoor conditions in Rotterdam, before being defeated by Jiri Lehecka at the Doha ATP 500 in a match that once again testified to his current limitations.
Everyone thought the 21-year-old from Murcia would win in Indian Wells for the third year in a row, but his run ended against Jack Draper in the semifinals yesterday.
Sinner can smile
In order to overtake Sinner before the Rome Masters 1000, Zverev would have to win two Masters 1000 between Miami, Monte Carlo and Madrid.
Alcaraz has an impossible mission, being obliged to prevail in all the tournaments he will play until May.
Sinner – who equalled Ilie Nastase’s 40 weeks at the top of the ATP ranking – is already confident of surpassing Andy Murray’s 41 weeks and Gustavo Kuerten’s 43 weeks.
Tennis World USA