Jannik Sinner in pole position to dethrone Novak Djokovic midway through clay court swing: Here's when he can do it

Jannik Sinner is likely to topple Novak Djokovic at some point during the clay court season as the record extending run of the 24-time Grand Slam champion seems to be heading to some sort of a semblance of a close.

Sinner has taken over as the top player in the sport especially given Djokovic's recent results and limited schedule and while Carlos Alcaraz was seen as the next cab off the rank so to speak in terms of the World No.1 spot and dominance in the sport, it is in fact the Italian who will take some stopping to reach that top spot.

He is a little over 1,000 ranking points behind Djokovic in the latest ATP Rankings and will compete likely throughout the clay court season. He is expected to play the Monte-Carlo Masters next week with 360 points to defend. But if he wins the title, he will add 1,000 points to his total which will move him closer. Djokovic has less points coming off with only 90 after being defeated by Lorenzo Musetti meaning that at least for one tournament, he can't be caught.

Sinner's big chance will come at the Madrid Open and then his home fans at the Rome Open (Internazionali BNL d'Italia Rome) in order to dethrone him so it could be a magical tournament in the case of the latter. Djokovic's plans are often very similar year to year and so he is potentially unlikely to play at the Madrid Open which gives Sinner the chance to dethrone him before Rome.

But if he has to wait, it will be Rome in front of his home fans. Djokovic also has 2,000 points to defend from his French Open run compared to 45 from Sinner meaning that it is very much when as opposed to if Sinner becomes World No.1 and given his current form, he will likely head into Wimbledon and the US Open as the top player in the sport.

This is despite him pouring hot water over a potential clay court run with Sinner not calling it his favourite surface. But given the points Djokovic has to defend, it is very much one that he only needs a few good results on to achieve his goals.