Jannik Sinner will seek his eighth ATP title of the season in front of the home crowd in Turin next week. The home favorite arrived early in Turin to start the preparations for the ATP Finals, working with his team and hoping to go one step further than a year ago. Two No. 1 players gathered on the practice court, with Jannik training with the top-ranked junior Nicolai Budkov Kjaer. The 18-year-old Norwegian reached the top in his final junior season, focusing on his professional career and earning a chance to gather experience with the top guys in Turin.
Jannik Sinner & Nicolai Budkov Kjaer, ATP Finals 2024© Facebook – International Tennis Federation
Nicolai Budkov Kjaer, the next big thing from Norway
After Casper Ruud, Norway is producing another ATP title contender in Nicolai Budkov Kjaer. The Oslo native has embraced a rock-solid season on the junior Tour. He conquered the Wimbledon crown and suffered the US Open final defeat, with his only poor result coming at Roland Garros. Nicolai challenged his skills on the professional Tour as well, entering the season with no ATP points and entering the top-700. A teenager claimed two Futures titles, collecting mileage and hoping for more success in 2025.
Will Jannik Sinner conquer the ATP Finals crown?
While Budkov Kjaer seeks experience in Turin, world no. 1 Jannik Sinner desires to lift the trophy on November 17! The Italian arrived in Turin before his rivals, hitting the practice court and shaping up his game after missing the Paris Masters due to illness. Jannik missed the final Masters 1000 event of the season and headed home to Monte Carlo. The two-time Major winner added Radek Stepanek to his coaching staff, working with the Czech on his volleys, seeking further improvements in his already impressive game. Sinner has been a player to beat this year, becoming the 29th world no. 1 after Roland Garros and celebrating his 22nd week on the ATP throne. Jannik conquered the Australian Open in January and added Rotterdam and Miami to his tally for a massive advantage after the opening three months of the season.
Jannik Sinner, ATP Finals 2024© Stream screenshot
The Italian reached the semi-final at Roland Garros, falling to Carlos Alcaraz but dethroning Novak Djokovic and becoming world no. 1. He claimed his fourth ATP title of the season in Halle before falling to Daniil Medvedev at Wimbledon, struggling physically and skipping the Olympic Games in Paris. Jannik recovered and conquered Cincinnati and the US Open, beating Taylor Fritz in the title clash in New York and securing his second Major title at 23. Sinner ended the year-end no. 1 battle and confirmed his status with the final in Beijing and the title in Shanghai. Sinner defeated Novak Djokovic in the final and extended his run at the Six Kings Slam in Riyadh. World no. 1 ousted Daniil Medvedev, Novak Djokovic and Carlos Alcaraz en route to the title and $6 million, the most significant prize money in tennis history! Jannik trained in Paris before withdrawing due to illness, focusing on the upcoming ATP Finals.