Jannik Sinner has made a significant mark in tennis history by becoming the first Italian player to secure the year-end No. 1 ranking in singles. This remarkable achievement came after his victory in the men’s singles semi-final at the Shanghai Masters, an ATP 1000 event, on October 12. Sinner initially reached the top ranking on June 10 and has maintained his position since then.
The 23-year-old showcased his potential as the next tennis superstar by dethroning Novak Djokovic, who had held the year-end No. 1 ranking for eight consecutive years prior. Sinner defeated 30th seed Tomas Machac in the semi-finals with a score of 6-4, 7-5, demonstrating complete control against an opponent who had recently upset China Open champion Carlos Alcaraz.
“It’s amazing. It’s something you dream of as a kid, just to reach No. 1. Having the year-end title is a different and special feeling,” Sinner expressed in an on-court interview.
With this achievement, Sinner joins an elite group of active players who have held the year-end No. 1 ranking, including Novak Djokovic, Rafael Nadal, and Carlos Alcaraz.
“This means so much to me. I couldn’t have accomplished this without my family, friends, and my team,” he added.
Looking ahead, Sinner is poised to face World No. 3 Novak Djokovic in the finals. His impressive 59-6 record in 2024 underscores his exceptional form, particularly during the Asian leg of the tour, where he reached the final in Beijing but fell short against Carlos Alcaraz in a tight three-set match.
Sinner’s successful season kicked off with a triumph at the Australian Open in January, marking his first Grand Slam title. He further solidified his status by winning the US Open, defeating Taylor Fritz in straight sets, making him only the fourth man since 1988 to win both the Australian Open and US Open in the same year.
In addition to his Grand Slam successes, Sinner also clinched two Masters 1000 titles, dominating at the Cincinnati Masters and Miami Open. His journey wasn’t without hurdles, as he faced a doping controversy earlier this year after testing positive for an anabolic steroid. Fortunately, he was exonerated, allowing him to continue his season uninterrupted.
