Jannik Sinner proud to spearhead Italian movement after taking top ranking
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Italy's Jannik Sinner celebrates winning his quarter final match against Bulgaria's Grigor Dimitrov.
PHOTO: REUTERS
PARIS – Jannik Sinner took an unexpected path to the world No. 1 ranking on June 4 after Novak Djokovic’s French Open withdrawal but he said it was the culmination of years of hard work and represented a proud moment for Italy.
Sinner arrived at Roland Garros needing to reach the final to assure himself of the top spot on June 10 but got confirmation when organisers announced that Djokovic had pulled out with a knee injury sustained in his fourth-round win on June 3.
The Serb has spent a record 428 weeks at the top of the rankings.
It meant that Sinner, who was informed of the news shortly after his 6-2, 6-4, 7-6 (7-3) quarter-final win over Grigor Dimitrov, becomes the first Italian man to achieve the feat.
“It means a lot to me, for sure. It’s not the way we all were expecting. He (Djokovic) had two long, tough matches, five sets, so it’s tough. The first one he finished really late also,” said Sinner.
“It’s tough also for the tournament. Novak retiring, it’s always tough. Talking about myself, I’m very happy about this achievement. It’s a lot of work we put in daily. It’s a daily routine. Obviously happy to have this number.
“In two days there’s a very important match for me, the semi-finals (against Carlos Alcaraz), so I’m focused about that at the moment. But yes, happy to have this number now.”
The 22-year-old, who guided Italy to the Davis Cup title in 2023, said the country deserved its recent successes.
“It means a lot, but I think it’s great for Italy. We’re a great country with great coaches and players and we can see this now how this moment is,” he said.
“I’m happy to be part of this Italian movement. People, they start to play tennis now more and more, which is great to see. I think that’s the most important.”
His game has moved to another level since he started to work with Darren Cahill, who with Simone Vagnozzi helped him win his maiden Grand Slam title at the 2024 Australian Open.
“We started to work now nearly two years (ago). It’s a huge pleasure for me to have him. I still remember the first week we had in Eastbourne on grass. Immediately I had good feelings with him because he has a lot of experience, obviously,” Sinner said.
“I know he brought different kind of players to world No. 1. He had great achievements also with different players. He knows how to adapt to each player and I think this is a quality that’s amazing.”
Up next for Sinner is world No. 3 Alcaraz on June 7.
The reigning Wimbledon champion sealed his spot by seeing off former Roland Garros runner-up Tsitsipas 6-3, 7-6 (7-3), 6-4 on Court Philippe-Chatrier on June 4.
Said Alcaraz of Sinner: “I think right now he’s the best player in the world, the player who’s playing the best tennis right now.”
The pair have a 4-4 head-to-head record.
The Spaniard added: “He pushes me to be my best level... to wake up in the morning to try to get better to try to beat him.
“It’s going to be a really good challenge... It’s the match that everybody wants to watch.” REUTERS, AFP
