Jannik Sinner is missing this week’s Paris Masters, withdrawing due to an illness. However, the Italian is safe at the top of the ATP ranking list, building a massive advantage over his closest rivals and enjoying his 21st week as world no. 1. Thus, Jannik passed Mats Wilander, leaving the Swede on 20 weeks and setting eyes on his greatest rival – Carlos Alcaraz! The Spaniard stands on 36 weeks as world no. 1, and the Italian will catch and pass him by mid-February if he does not lose too many points at the Australian Open. Sinner took the ATP throne from Novak Djokovic after Roland Garros and embraced a nice streak, becoming the 17th player with 21 weeks as world no. 1.
Jannik Sinner, Shanghai Masters 2024© Stream screenshot
Sinner carves a path for his ATP reign
Jannik is 65-6 in 2024, having won a Tour-leading seven titles, five notable ones and two at the ATP 500 level. The young gun launched his ATP throne chase in the second part of 2023, reaching the Wimbledon semi-final and lifting a Masters 1000 trophy in Toronto. He played well in the closing stages of the season, lifting the Davis Cup trophy for Italy and earning two victories over Novak Djokovic, gathering a boost ahead of 2024.
Sinner’s first Major title at the Australian Open and a brilliant start
Jannik traveled to Melbourne as one of the favorites and proved that on the court. He played well in the opening five matches en route to the semi-final, arranging the ultimate clash against the ten-time Australian Open winner, Novak Djokovic. Sinner played flawless tennis against the legend, facing no break points and sealing the deal in four sets en route to a career-best victory. The Italian crashed the Serb in the opening two sets before wasting a match point in the third. Trusting his shots, the young gun made a fresh start in the fourth set and sealed the deal in style en route to his first Major final.
Jannik Sinner, Shanghai Masters 2024© Stream screenshot
Jannik faced Daniil Medvedev and dropped the opening two sets, facing the ultimate challenge. He passed it in style, mounting an incredible comeback and celebrating a 3-6, 3-6, 6-4, 6-4, 6-3 victory, joining tennis immortals at 22. Sinner backed that success with another trophy in Rotterdam, adding 500 more ATP points to his tally ahead of Indian Wells. The Italian reached the semi-final, starting the season with a 16-0 score before experiencing the first defeat to Carlos Alcaraz. The ATP Race leader fixed that in Miami, playing at his best from the quarter-final stage and lifting his second Masters 1000 crown.
Jannik’s results on clay and grass
Sinner reached the Monte Carlo semi-final and fell to Stefanos Tsitsipas after having his chances to make the title clash. He withdrew from Madrid ahead of the quarter-final, citing a hip injury and missing the home Rome Masters. Jannik recovered for Roland Garros and played well en route to the semi-final. The Italian pushed Carlos Alcaraz to the limits, building a set advantage two times before losing a five-setter. Sinner could not advance to his second consecutive Major final, but he earned enough points to pass Novak Djokovic and become the 29th world no. 1 since 1973.
Jannik Sinner & Novak Djokovic, Shanghai Masters 2024© Stream screenshot
Jannik played his first tournament as the world’s best player in Halle and lifted the title, extending his ATP 500 streak. Thus, he remained safely in front of Alcaraz and Djokovic ahead of Wimbledon. Sinner could not repeat last year’s semi-final, struggling physically against Daniil Medvedev in the quarter-final and losing in five sets despite a massive effort. The Italian missed a set point in the third set and dominated the fourth before falling in the closing stages. Jannik revealed tonsillitis and skipped the Olympic Games in Paris a few weeks later, not chasing a medal for his country.
Second Major title at the US Open
Sinner could not defend the Canada Masters title, losing to Andrey Rublev in the quarter-final and dropping 800 ATP points. He fixed that in Cincinnati, defeating Rublev, Alexander Zverev and Frances Tiafoe and celebrating his third notable title of the season. A day later, the ITAI revealed that Sinner failed two doping tests in March for a banned anabolic steroid, clostebol. The news shook the tennis world, and the Italian faced the ultimate challenge ahead of the US Open. The world’s best player forfeited 400 ATP points for the Indian Wells semi-final but faced no further suspensions, raising many questions among fans and his colleagues. Jannik appealed both positive tests, continuing to compete without restrictions and becoming world no. 1 three months later. Sinner gave everything to distance himself and focus on his tennis in New York. He welcomed Djokovic’s and Alcaraz’s early exits and bested Tommy Paul, Daniil Medvedev and Jack Draper en route to his second Major final. Jannik faced the home favorite Taylor Fritz and beat him in straight sets, lifting his second Major title at 23.
Jannik Sinner, Australian Open 2024© Stream screenshot
Sinner’s Beijing and Shanghai run
No one could catch Sinner by the end of the season, and he extended his good run during the China swing. The Italian reached the final in Beijing and faced Alcaraz. Two great rivals embraced an incredible battle, and the Spaniard prevailed 6-7, 6-4, 7-6 after three hours and 21 minutes, becoming the first player to beat world no. 1 in this year’s ATP finals. Jannik lost his first ATP 500 match in a year, leaving it behind ahead of the Shanghai Masters. The world’s best player reached the final and faced Novak Djokovic. The younger player ousted the four-time champion 7-6, 6-3, facing no break points and earning a single break in the middle of the second set to claim his fourth Masters 1000 title and celebrate the fifth notable hard-court crown of the season. Jannik conquered the Six Kings Slam in Riyadh over Daniil Medvedev, Novak Djokovic, and Carlos Alcaraz, pocketing $6 million. The Italian could not chase the Paris Masters crown, withdrawing due to illness and hoping to recover for the ATP Finals.
