If there’s a participant who can characterize the picture of 2024, it’s undoubtedly Jannik Sinner. The Italian ace was the very best participant of this season and even the extraordinary peaks of Carlos Alcaraz haven’t questioned his management within the ATP rating. Along with profitable greater than 60 matches in 2024, the 23-year-old from Sesto Pusteria has gained two Grand Slam titles and suffered simply six defeats since January. As if that weren’t sufficient, the world #1 has additionally gained three Masters 1000 (Miami, Cincinnati and Shanghai) and two ATP 500.
Already within the second a part of final 12 months, the 2-time Grand Slam champion had proven large enhancements in comparison with the previous each from a technical and psychological viewpoint. Underneath the steering of Simone Vagnozzi and Darren Cahill, Jannik has taken an extra step in his profession to turn into the very best participant on this planet.
It’s true that Sinner misplaced all three matches to Carlitos Alcaraz in 2024, however he was rather more constant over the course of the season as proven by the hole within the ATP rating. The Italian should make a final effort to shut the season nicely, along with his sights on the Nitto ATP Finals in Turin and the Davis Cup Finals in Malaga. Earlier than taking part in in entrance of his followers in Turin, the world #1 will play the final Masters 1000 of the season in Paris-Bercy. Jannik by no means actually shone on this match, the place he reached the spherical of 16 in 2023 as his greatest consequence.
A formidable rise
Throughout a protracted interview with Sky Sport Italy, the Italian ace spoke about his rise and his future objectives: “As an individual, I’ve by no means modified, success has by no means modified me and it has not modified the way in which I deal with folks in entrance of me, these I meet. What’s totally different is that I’ve rather less free time.
As a result of I’m an individual who spends all my time working. So it’s as much as me, if I wish to go dwelling tomorrow, I can do it, however I don’t wish to as a result of my profession began once I left at 15 years outdated. Now I’m 23 and I’ve reached the purpose that I at all times dreamed of, turning into primary. It’s at this second that I’ve to proceed working and progressing as a result of there are all of the gamers who need my place. I’m going to play for one more 15 years, hopefully my physique will maintain up.”
As if the seven official titles gained in 2024 weren’t sufficient, Sinner additionally triumphed on the ‘Six Kings Slam‘ final week, defeating huge champions equivalent to Medvedev, Djokovic and Alcaraz. The ultimate towards the Spanish ace in Saudi Arabia was very spectacular, with Jannik being an excellent reformer after shedding the primary set within the tiebreak.
The misplaced smile
Many followers and insiders have observed how typically Sinner has been unhappy in latest months. The world #1 has not been in a position to deny that the doping case involving him has affected his temper in latest months. “Effectively, I do know this 12 months has been very, very robust for me due to different circumstances, and, you already know, at factors I misplaced a little bit little bit of smile as a result of I had some points off the court docket, after which they’re nonetheless in my thoughts typically” – the US Open champion admitted.
“You understand, folks, they assume that, you already know, by profitable or having success that you have no issues, nevertheless it’s not true, you already know, as a result of I am, the scenario the place I am in, clearly, it isn’t snug, and I want I might not be on this place the place I’m proper now off the court docket, and taking part in freely extra on the court docket, and attempting even to get pleasure from it a little bit bit extra. However, you already know, you need to settle for it.
After all, I’ve moments the place I give it some thought, which isn’t the very best half. So, yeah, you are taking the success differently. And I believe that is what I discovered is that the success won’t ever change me as an individual, or as a participant as a result of subsequent match I can go far once more, or I may lose the primary spherical, nevertheless it’s not going to vary me as an individual, as a human,” he added. The doping case isn’t closed but, because of WADA’s choice to enchantment towards the acquittal of ITIA. The ultimate choice is anticipated in early 2025, an extra stress for the world #1 who should defend his title on the Australian Open subsequent January.
