Jannik Sinner became the World No.1 bizarrely on a Tuesday afternoon in the middle of the 2024 French Open with the Italian fulfilling a prophecy that was long down the line for him.
Sinner could've been World No.1 in Rome earlier this clay court season but injury saw him withdraw against Felix Auger-Aliassime in Madrid. He couldn't play Rome as a result in what could've been a golden homecoming for their new Grand Slam champion.
But it was always a caveat throughout the tournament that he would become World No.1 if he bettered Djokovic's run. Bizarrely during his win over Grigor Dimitrov, he became World No.1 and he didn't know. Djokovic had to withdraw due to a meniscus tear which means surgery might be required. He had an MRI and it was deemed to be serious enough that he has had to withdraw. He did say yesterday that he has been having a knee problem for some time and that he has been dealing with it but that it got worse as he toiled with Francisco Cerundolo.
Sinner gave his immediate reaction to becoming World No.1 to Jon Wertheim for Tennis Channel. He said that while it isn't the way he wanted to ascend the summit that he is pleased to show that his hard work ethic and commitment has led to something that a year ago was a mere dream and not reality.
“It represents a great result of work ethic. Me and my team, it was one of our goals this year. The most important goal is to improve as a player and person. Surrounding myself with great people. And that’s it, no? I think I can be happy and pleased with what I’m doing and what my team is doing," said Sinner.
"Just looking forward to the semis at the moment. It’s for sure not the way I wanted to become world #1, with Novak retiring. The last period I played really good tennis. I’m happy to be in that position. It’s something new coming up for me. It’s something good. I’m very happy.”
Jannik Sinner says he’s happy to be world #1 and it was one of his goals, but the most important goal is to improve as a player & person Wertheim: “You’re the new world #1. Maybe not how you wanted to get it, but it represents 52 weeks of work. What does it represent to you?”…
