There is no doubt that Jannik Sinner was the best player in the world this year, having kept up an impressive pace throughout 2024 without being distracted by problems off the tennis court. Despite the doping case that hit him and the long process he had to face in recent months, the Italian ace has never lowered his level and reached at least the quarterfinals in all tournaments he played.
The 23-year-old from Sesto Pusteria has acquired in advance the mathematical certainty of closing the season at the top of the ATP ranking and was able to face with greater serenity the last events of the ATP calendar. The world number 1 missed the Rolex Paris Masters last week due to a stomach virus, which will not cause him any problems just days before the start of the Nitto ATP Finals.
The two-time Grand Slam champion – who reached the final in Turin last year – is the top favorite ahead of Alexander Zverev (who won the last Masters 1000 of the season yesterday) and Carlos Alcaraz (who still does not express his best tennis in indoor conditions), waiting to understand the intentions of Novak Djokovic. The Serbian legend will definitely qualify for Turin, but he may decide to skip the event.
Pierre Menes on Sinner’s attitude
Jannik has already arrived in Turin and has received a great welcome from his fans outside the hotel where he is staying. Sinner’s numbers in 2024 are really impressive, with 65 wins and only six losses. Thanks to his victory at Paris-Bercy last week, Sascha Zverev has surpassed Jannik in 66 wins this year, but the German has suffered 20 losses since January. Despite his tennis is very effective and his behavior is always impeccable, the Italian ace has a hard time getting into the hearts of people outside his country. Fans love the style of Carlitos Alcaraz, who has a more varied and complete game in all aspects.
During a recent interview with ‘We Love Tennis’, Pierre Menes discussed this topic: “I find Sinner’s game incredibly effective, it is also number 1 in the world for months so it’s not by chance but you still have zero emotion to see play Sinner who a kind of improved machine throws balls, Moreover, since he has this doping case his press conferences go beyond the tongue-in-cheek, we are in an absolutely dizzying thing. He must be careful Sinner because winning titles, Grand Slam tournaments is good but you also have to think about sending a little love to people.”
Jannik’s words about the controversial exhibition in Saudi Arabia have recently sparked much discussion. The world number 1 said he did not go to play the ‘Six Kings Slam‘ for economic reasons, a statement that was not believed by anyone. At the same time, his great rival Alcaraz admitted that the economic factor had an impact on his decision to attend that event.
In the latest episode of her podcast, Rennae Stubbs commented on Sinner’s words about the Six Kings Slam: “I love him so much, because he’s so trusted to be politically correct, ‘No, I didn’t go for the money. I’m just playing. The six best players in the world are there and I want to test myself’.
Listen, Jannik, I love you, but dude, come on! There’s no way you’re adding a tournament on to your schedule. Just like Carlos Alcaraz said, ‘Of course I went for the money’. Jannik, I know you want to be politically correct with everything because you are. You want to be like Roger Federer where you say everything really well. But sometimes, you go, ‘Yeah, it was interesting. I wanted to go visit. We were getting paid a lot of money, and that’s why I went’.”
Jannik arrived in Turin
The 23-year-old from Sesto Pusteria will play the ATP Finals in Turin and then the Davis Cup Finals in Malaga, where he will try to lead Italy to its second straight triumph after last year’s. The two-time Grand Slam champion will be preparing for winter in Dubai with Marco Panichi, after having traveled to Spain in recent years.
Jannik will defend his title at the Australian Open next January and then he should know his fate about the doping case that concerns him. The Italian champion said he was surprised by WADA’s decision to appeal against the acquittal of ITIA, but added that he will cooperate fully with the authorities just as he has done in recent months. WADA has requested a disqualification for Sinner from one to two years for negligence, after ITIA had denied any responsibility for the contamination.
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