In a surprising turn of events at the French Open, Jannik Sinner ascended to the world number one ranking following Novak Djokovic’s withdrawal due to a knee injury. This development marked a significant milestone for Sinner and a proud moment for Italy.
Sinner, who needed to reach the French Open final to secure the top spot, received the news after his commanding 6-2, 6-4, 7-6(3) quarter-final victory over Grigor Dimitrov. Djokovic’s injury, sustained in his grueling fourth-round win, meant the 22-year-old Sinner would become the first Italian man to achieve the coveted ranking.
Reflecting on the news, Sinner acknowledged the unexpected nature of his ascent. “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,” Sinner commented. “It’s tough also for the tournament. Novak retiring, it’s always tough.”
Sinner expressed satisfaction with his accomplishment, emphasizing the years of hard work that led to this moment. “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,” he said. Despite the milestone, Sinner remains focused on his upcoming semi-final match against Carlos Alcaraz, adding, “In two days there’s a very important match for me, the semi-finals, so I’m focused on that at the moment.”
This achievement not only elevates Sinner’s status but also highlights Italy’s growing prominence in the tennis world. “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,” Sinner said. He expressed pride in being part of the Italian tennis movement, noting, “People, they start to play tennis now more and more, which is great to see. I think that’s the most important.”
Sinner credited much of his recent success to his coaching team, particularly Darren Cahill, who, along with Simone Vagnozzi, guided him to his maiden Grand Slam title at the Australian Open. “We started to work now nearly two years ago. It’s a huge pleasure for me to have him,” Sinner noted. He praised Cahill’s extensive experience and ability to adapt to different players, stating, “He knows how to adapt to each player, and I think this is a quality that’s amazing.”
Sinner highlighted the effective collaboration between Cahill and Vagnozzi, appreciating their complementary coaching styles and mutual respect. “Him and also the combination with Simone is really good. They’re two different coaches, but they work together well. They are humble, and they respect each other. The combination is very good. I’m lucky to have both of them and the rest of the team.”
As Sinner prepares for his semi-final clash, his rise to the top of the tennis world stands as a testament to his talent, dedication, and the robust support system around him.
