Jannik Sinner was among the biggest names in tennis to gather in Turin on Friday evening, joining a remarkable collection of former World No. 1s for a special celebration ahead of the ATP Finals. Although the Italian will not compete in this year's tournament due to injury, he was still present at one of the most prestigious events on the ATP calendar.
The ATP No. 1 Club Gala brought together 12 players who have reached the summit of men's tennis, representing five decades of the sport. Held at the Inalpi Arena, the gathering offered an opportunity for champions from different generations to meet, share memories and reflect on what it takes to reach the top of the rankings.
Alongside Sinner, the most recent Italian to reach World No. 1, were several familiar faces from tennis history, including Stefan Edberg, Mats Wilander, Lleyton Hewitt and Ilie Nastase. Alexander Zverev, another member of the exclusive club and one of the players competing at this year's ATP Finals, also attended.
The occasion was particularly significant given the number of achievements represented in the room. Nastase became the first player to reach World No. 1 when the ATP Rankings were introduced in 1973, while Zverev became the 30th member of the club to reach the top of men's tennis.
Sinner, Zverev and tennis legends share the spotlight
The 12 attendees represented a remarkable range of eras and playing styles. Alongside Ilie Nastase, Stefan Edberg, Mats Wilander, Lleyton Hewitt, Jannik Sinner and Alexander Zverev, the gathering included Thomas Muster, Yevgeny Kafelnikov, Marat Safin, Gustavo Kuerten, Juan Carlos Ferrero and Daniil Medvedev.
ATP Chairman Andrea Gaudenzi opened the evening before each of the former and current World No. 1s was introduced and invited to reflect on their careers. The conversations covered their journeys to the top, the challenges they encountered and the experiences that connected players who competed in very different periods of tennis history.
Jannik Sinner and (some of) the ATP No. 1 Club! 🦊🫶 📸 Corinne Dubreuil https://t.co/i3ul2KYMky
— jannik sinner files (@jannik_files) November 14, 2026
Footage from ACES: The ATP No. 1 Club, the ATP's docuseries documenting the stories of its members, was also shown throughout the evening, prompting further discussion among those in attendance.
The gala also featured contributions from several major figures outside tennis. Italian tenor Andrea Bocelli sent a special message, while basketball legend Dirk Nowitzki, ice hockey great Wayne Gretzky, golf icon Jack Nicklaus, former football star Sergio Ramos and adventurer Bear Grylls all posed questions to the players.
pensare che in questa foto di numeri 1, quello che ha più settimane in vetta è proprio Sinner (a 25 anni) https://t.co/xb3RXHvZAi
— Pasquale🏆 (@McPako8) November 14, 2026
There were also messages from three other members of the exclusive club: Boris Becker, Pete Sampras and Rafael Nadal. Becker, in particular, reflected on the significance of reaching the top of the rankings and what the achievement means to him.
"One of my greatest sporting achievements in tennis is becoming No. 1 in the world," Becker said. "It takes a lot of hard work, dedication. You aren't going to be No. 1 for one tournament, you have to be good for 12 months. Being in the No. 1 Club makes me very proud and there are only 30 members."
Darren Cahill joins the conversations in Turin
Another notable presence was Darren Cahill, Sinner's long-time coach, who helped guide the Italian to the top of the rankings. With Cahill preparing to step away from his coaching role, his appearance alongside his former charge added another interesting element to the evening.
Cahill spoke about the qualities that help produce a World No. 1 and also directed a question towards Lleyton Hewitt about coaching his son, Cruz. Other tournament representatives joined the discussions, with Karim Alami asking Edberg a question, Paolo Lorenzi speaking with Medvedev and Tommy Robredo recalling memories from his time with Ferrero.
The ATP No. 1 Club was launched in Turin two years ago to recognise every player who has reached the top of the men's rankings. Beyond the annual gatherings, the initiative has included the ACES documentary series and a commemorative book published in partnership with Phaidon.
Friday's gala provided another opportunity to celebrate an achievement shared by only 30 players since the introduction of the ATP Rankings. For Sinner, it was also a chance to be part of the celebrations in his home country despite being unable to compete at the ATP Finals this year.
Cristhián AvilaTennis Journalist
Cristhián Ávila is a tennis journalist based in Santiago, Chile, and has been part of the TennisUpToDate team since early 2023. He covers the ATP and WTA Tours as well as all four Grand Slams, producing breaking news, match reports, analysis, and regular liveblogs from major tournaments.
His reporting combines statistical analysis with clear explanation, helping readers understand tactical developments, player form, and broader storylines across the tour. Working fluently in both Spanish and English, Cristhián collaborates with an international editorial team and contributes to comprehensive global coverage. As part of his work, he has conducted interviews and media interactions with leading figures in the sport, including Caroline Wozniacki and John McEnroe.
In his journalism, Cristhián places strong emphasis on careful sourcing, editorial accuracy, and updating articles promptly when new, verified information becomes available. His coverage is grounded in research, context, and direct engagement with professional tennis.
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