Jannik Sinner is now seen as the top contender in tennis, according to former world No. 1 Mats Wilander. Wilander believes Sinner, at just 23 years old, will continue to improve and is now a favorite to win against any opponent on any surface.
Sinner capped off the 2024 Grand Slam season with a win at the US Open, following his Australian Open title earlier in the year. He defeated Taylor Fritz, a first-time finalist, with scores of 6-3, 6-4, 7-5 to claim his second major title and reinforce his position as the world No. 1.
Despite facing controversy earlier in the season due to two failed doping tests in March, Sinner was cleared of any wrongdoing and handled the pressure with composure. Wilander praised Sinner’s ability to perform under stress and noted his rapid rise in the sport.
“He works incredibly hard, and his improvement is evident,” Wilander told Eurosport. “It’s not surprising that we now consider him capable of winning every tournament. His performance at the US Open was especially impressive given the earlier challenges he faced. Taylor Fritz had a chance but fell short.”
Sinner has been leading the ATP Rankings since June and is well-positioned to finish the year as the top player. He holds a 2,885-point lead over Alexander Zverev, who is in second place. This year, Sinner has also secured victories over top players including Novak Djokovic, Carlos Alcaraz, Alexander Zverev, and Daniil Medvedev.
Wilander believes Sinner is favored to maintain his top ranking and win more titles, including the Australian Open. “Sinner can handle any opponent on any surface,” Wilander added. “He’s still young and fresh, having not played extensively as a junior. His humility and skill will only increase his popularity.”
Sinner’s consistent performance and growth have made him a prominent figure in tennis, and his future looks bright as he continues to build on his success.
