Jannik Sinner started his 26th week as world no. 1. The Italian is climbing through the list, moving ten weeks from catching his great rival, Carlos Alcaraz. Jannik has built a massive advantage over his opponents following a stellar season.
He will pass Carlos in February before chasing Ilie Nastase, Andy Murray and Gustavo Kuerten, who are not far in front either. Sinner embraced a 73-6 run in 2024, lifting eight ATP titles and defending the Davis Cup crown for Italy. Jannik finished the 2023 season ranked 4th.
Jannik Sinner hits a stunner of a drop shot against Fritz at ATP Finals in Turin.
— The Tennis Letter (@TheTennisLetter) November 12, 2024
Great disguise and totally unexpected.
Unbelievable how much his finesse has improved over the last few seasons.
🇮🇹🦊
pic.twitter.com/BUofPLw3BV
He further improved his game and conquered the tennis world this season, lifting six notable titles and writing history books. Jannik is hungry for more in 2025, although he wants to avoid setting any goals, quietly working on further improvements.
Sinner does not have to worry about defending the ATP throne from anyone in the upcoming months. He has to defend 3500 ATP points in Melbourne, Rotterdam and Miami, but he is almost 4000 ATP points ahead of his closest rival, Alexander Zverev.
Jannik will embrace his 37th world no. 1 week on February 17. He will leave Carlos Alcaraz behind and chase his next rivals. Then, the two-time champion will leave behind Nastase, Murray and Kuerten. Who will be his next target after that? Jim Courier with 58 no. 1 weeks.
Jannik’s path toward the ATP throne
Sinner raised his level in the second part of 2023, starting with the Wimbledon semi-final. He suffered a couple of losses after the US Open, lifting two trophies and securing Italy’s first Davis Cup crown since 1976. Also, Jannik earned two wins over Novak Djokovic within ten days.
This gave him massive momentum, and the young gun used it nicely. Sinner was among the Australian Open favorites and proved that on the court. He raced into the semi-final and faced the ten-time champion Djokovic. The youngster ousted the veteran in style.
Jannik Sinner hits an OUTSTANDING sliding backhand passing shot against Fritz at ATP Finals in Turin.
— The Tennis Letter (@TheTennisLetter) November 12, 2024
He had no right to come up with a shot this good.
He puts his finger to his ear.
The crowd roars.
Take a bow. 🇮🇹🦊
pic.twitter.com/gK61W4kY2l
Jannik kept Novak away from break points and earned a career-best victory in four sets. Thus, he moved to his first Major final at 22 and arranged the duel against Daniil Medvedev. The Italian dropped the opening two sets and stood on the verge of the exit door.
However, he produced an incredible comeback and sealed the deal in five sets, celebrating his first Major crown. It gave him a massive momentum, and Sinner backed it with the ATP 500 Rotterdam crown over Alex de Minaur. The Italian reached the Indian Wells semi-final, making a 16-0 start to the season.
Carlos Alcaraz delivered his first loss of the season, beating the ATP Race leader in three sets. Jannik bounced back in Miami, dominating from the quarter-final stage and lifting his second Masters 1000 crown. The Italian could not maintain that pace on clay.
He lost a tight Monte Carlo semi-final clash to Stefanos Tsitsipas and withdrew from the Madrid Masters ahead of the quarter-final. Struggling with a hip injury, Jannik skipped the home Rome Masters and returned in Paris, seeking his second Major title.
Sinner reached the semi-final and arranged the clash against Carlos Alcaraz. The Italian led two sets to one but failed to bring the victory home. Carlos raised his level in sets four and five, prevailing and leaving his great rival empty-handed. Well, not entirely!
Namely, Jannik earned enough points to dethrone Novak Djokovic and become the 29th world no. 1 in ATP history. The Italian played his first tournament as the world’s best player in Halle, prevailing over his great friend Hubert Hurkacz and lifting a trophy.
Sinner kept Alcaraz and Djokovic behind despite the Wimbledon quarter-final defeat. Jannik did not feel well against Daniil Medvedev, trying everything but falling in five sets. The Italian missed a set point in the third set and finished on the losing side.
Sinner extends his dominance
He withdrew from the Olympic Games and returned during the North American hard swing. Andrey Rublev dethroned him in Canada, and Sinner bounced back in Cincinnati. World no. 1 prevailed over Alexander Zverev in the semi-final and defeated Frances Tiafoe to lift the trophy.
Djokovic and Alcaraz experienced early US Open losses, clearing the path for the Italian. Jannik reached the final and faced the home favorite, Taylor Fritz. Sinner sealed the deal in straight sets, conquering his second Major crown of the year and writing history books.
No one could have battled Jannik for the year-end no. 1 spot, but the Italian did not slow down. He lost an epic Beijing Open final to Carlos Alcaraz, suffering the only defeat in this year’s ATP finals. Sinner bounced back in Shanghai.
The 23-year-old defeated Novak Djokovic in the title clash, earning his third Masters 1000 crown of the season and extending his hard-court dominance. The Italian led a stellar field at the Six Kings Slam in Riyadh and stood strong again.
He ousted Daniil Medvedev, Novak Djokovic and Carlos Alcaraz, earning $6 million and taking home the largest prize money in tennis history! Jannik traveled to Paris ahead of the last Masters 1000 event of the season but withdrew due to a virus.
The home favorite turned his focus on the ATP Finals in Turin. The top favorite defeated five rivals in straight sets, lifting his eighth trophy of the season and adding 1500 ATP points to his tally. Carried by this boost, Jannik led Italy at the Davis Cup Finals in Malaga.
World no. 1 added three singles wins and led his country toward the title defense, finishing a historic season on a high note.
