"As many matches as possible with less tournaments as possible" - Jannik Sinner outlines scheme to sustain number one ranking

World number one Jannik Sinner has taken the tennis world by storm over the past couple of years. Having won three Grand Slams and achieved a commanding number one status, he aims to remain there for as long as possible.

The 22-year-old is currently competing in Cincinnati, seeking his fifth Masters 1000 title, and first this year. The only two tournaments Sinner has come out triumphant in 2025 were the Australian Open and Wimbledon. His first Wimbledon title was won against his great rival Carlos Alcaraz, with the pair destined to face off in America in a repeat of the previous two Grand Slam finals. Sinner's last 1000 final was also against the Spaniard in Rome on his return from a suspension, but was outclassed by Alcaraz in straight sets.

This is his first tournament after Wimbledon, tactically skipping the Canadian Open along with many of his on-court rivals for a well-earned break. Now back on the court, he has his eye on the upcoming US Open. Not only wanting to defend the title he first won last year, but to further cement his place as the number one ranked player.

The Italian first achieved his number one status back in June 2024. He had started the year as the world number four, but shot up the rankings after he obtained his first Grand Slam title. He went on to win eight titles that year, including a strong finish to the campaign where he acquired the US Open and the ATP finals, defeating American number one Taylor Fritz in both.

This strong end to the year created an unattainable lead at the top of the rankings, as Sinner strives to stay there for as long as possible. He aims to pursue this longevity by playing as many matches as possible in as few tournaments, citing the physical challenges of the tennis schedule. By doing this, he will have the best chance of remaining at the top step.

Speaking to Ziggo Sport, Sinner said: "It's for sure a different feeling, but I'm happy to be there. Thats the best position you can possibly be but at the same time my main goal is to have as many matches as possible throughout the season with less tournaments as possible, because if I feel like if I want to play a longer career you have to stop at times. You have to work physically a lot to keep the body going and I think this is what we are aiming for."

Despite his recent dominance, his status as number one could be under scrutiny heading into the final big tournaments of the year. With players having to defend ranking points directly a year after winning them, the Italian must try to defend the points he claimed after winning the US Open and ATP Finals, along with his Masters 1000 success in Cincinnati and Shanghai. There is a world where if he fails to defend the 5,800 ranking points, he could slip down to third in the world.

On the other hand, his arch-rival Alcaraz only has to defend 1,050 points after enduring a tough end to the campaign. With Sinner boasting a 3,430 points lead, he is still the overwhelming favourite to finish the year at the top of the ladder. However, he has recognised that he has not played in as many tournaments this year due to his three-month suspension, and that he has a lot of competition from the best players in the world.

"Obviously you can do that if you play good in the tournaments you play," Sinner said. "I didn't play many tournaments this year, it's good, it's ok. And everyone is aiming and hoping to be in that position especially the best five, six players in the world, they all want to be number one. There are going to be struggles and ups and downs but I try to avoid them as much as I can and try to be as consistent as possible."