Jannik Sinner continues to sweep accolades with Most Improved Player in ATP Awards

Jannik Sinner clinched the Most Improved Player of the Year award, marking his second accolade at the close of the 2023 season, following the Fans’ Favourite Award earlier in the week. The 22-year-old Italian commenced the season as the world No. 15 and concluded it in the 4th position, trailing only Novak Djokovic, Carlos Alcaraz, and Daniil Medvedev.

With an impressive record of 64 wins and 15 losses (81%) in the year, significantly surpassing his 2022 performance of 47 wins and 16 losses (75%), Sinner showcased his prowess on the court. The Italian competed in seven finals throughout the year, securing victories in four tournaments, including the Canadian Open. The latter part of the year proved to be his peak, claiming titles at the China Open and Vienna Open, and reaching the championship match at the ATP Finals (where he faced a defeat against Djokovic).

“t's official! @janniksin is the 2023 Most Improved Player of the Year in the #ATPAwards”

From the US Open in January, Sinner accumulated 17 victories and only 2 defeats, concluding the year on a high note by leading Italy to victory in the Davis Cup. He emerged as the team's primary leader, winning all his matches, both in singles and doubles.

The Italian also notched up an impressive 13 Top-10 wins, a personal best, including two victories over the world No. 1, Djokovic, and two over the world No. 2, Carlos Alcaraz. Sinner acknowledged that the latter part of the year was his strongest period in 2023: "I think, especially the second half of the year, mentally I was much, much stronger," said Sinner. "I was not complaining so much on court when things were going in the wrong way. I think these kinds of things make a difference sometimes.”

Nevertheless, the 22-year-old tennis player is looking to improve in the upcoming season and capitalize on the experience gained this year, particularly in performing well in significant tournaments: "One of the things where I can be really happy is that I played many, many important matches in the biggest stadiums we have throughout the whole year. This is something [that] hopefully can help for the next season," added Sinner.

Sinner concluded the year with a total prize money of $8,349,392, surpassing his earnings throughout his career since 2018, where he accumulated just over $6.5 million. To kick off the 2024 season, the Italian will participate in the Kooyong exhibition tournament and then swiftly head to Melbourne to compete in the Australian Open, marking his first official match of the year.