Jannik Sinner Makes Honest Admission About Carlos Alcaraz Clinching the Year-End World No.1 Ranking

Jannik Sinner will play Alex de Minaur in the semifinals of the ATP Finals.

Jannik Sinner Makes Honest Admission About Carlos Alcaraz Clinching the Year-End World No.1 Ranking

Carlos Alcaraz, Jannik Sinner (Image via X/Jannik Sinner HQ)

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Jannik Sinner is looking sensational at the ATP Finals this week. The Italian has lost no sets enroute to the semifinals, where he will face Alex de Minaur.

However, there was one setback in this tournament, which was that he officially relinquished the Year-End World No.1 battle with Carlos Alcaraz. The Italian, despite being diplomatic about it, chose to let his honest emotions show after coming second best in this battle, admitting that it would be lie if he was super happy that his great rival achieved it. Sinner said in his post-match press conference:

I’m happy for him, but if I told you I was super happy… I’d be telling a lie! But he deserves it, he’s had an incredible season… he’s won two Slams, eight tournaments. He’s playing at a very high level, he’s competitive on any surface. He had the pressure too, he managed it very well, but I’m glad for him. He’s a really good guy, he has a great team around him and he’s earned these achievements. For me, this is motivation for next year. If I had to choose another player to end up #1, I’d always choose him, he deserves it.

Sinner is hands down one of the most consistent players on the ATP Tour. However, a three-month doping ban between February and May resulted in him missing key tournaments such as Rotterdam and Miami, where he was the defending champion.

Sinner is likely to stay World No.2 until the end of the Australian Open, considering he will be defending his crown in Melbourne. However, if he defends that title, he will become the clear favorite to clinch the World No.1 ranking again before Roland Garros.

Jannik Sinner secures top spot in the Round Robin group

Second seed Jannik Sinner did not play his best on Friday at the Nitto ATP Finals. Even so, he earned a straight-sets win and finished the round-robin stage with a perfect record.

Jannik Sinner (2)
Jannik Sinner (Image via X/Jannik Sinner HQ)

The world No. 2 beat Ben Shelton 6-3, 7-6(3). Sinner had trouble finding his rhythm on serve, but he handled Shelton’s pressure well. The victory also extended his indoor winning streak to 29 matches.

Sinner had already locked up first place in the Bjorn Borg Group. With Carlos Alcaraz also moving forward, the two could meet in the final if both win their semi-final matches.

Next, Sinner will play Alex de Minaur in the semis. Alcaraz will face the winner of the late match between Alexander Zverev and Felix Auger-Aliassime.

Carlos Alcaraz receives the Year-End World No.1 trophy in Turin

Carlos Alcaraz received his ATP Year-End No. 1 presented by PIF trophy on Friday at the Nitto ATP Finals. He secured the top spot the night before by defeating Lorenzo Musetti to finish group play at 3-0.

Carlos Alcaraz
Carlos Alcaraz (Image via X/Carlos Alcaraz 4K)

This is the second time he has ended the season as No. 1, the first coming in 2022. Alcaraz noted that he still works with the same team that supported him during his first achievement.

ATP Chairman Andrea Gaudenzi and PIF representative Mohamed Alsayyad were the ones who handed him the trophy. Alcaraz is also aiming for his first Nitto ATP Finals title. He has already reached the semi-finals and will face Felix Auger-Aliassime on Saturday.

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