Jannik Sinner will become World No.1 regardless under these circumstances at Roland Garros

Monday, 13 May 2024 at 19:37

Jannik Sinner has a good chance of becoming world No. 1 after the French Open, following Novak Djokovic's early exit at the Rome Open. The Serbian has had a tough 2024, and his rough patch deepened after the surprising loss to Chilean Alejandro Tabilo in the third round at Foro Italico.

Sinner hasn't had the optimal preparation for Roland Garros during the clay swing. He had a good showing at the Monte-Carlo Masters but fell in the semifinals to eventual champion Stefanos Tsitsipas in a controversial match marked by a refereeing error in the third set. Then, at the Madrid Open, he reached the quarterfinals but withdrew due to a hip injury, which also prevented him from playing in Rome these past weeks.

Djokovic lends a hand to Sinner

Sinner's dominance in 2024 has him with a record of 28-2, three titles including his first Grand Slam at the Australian Open, and as the absolute leader in the ATP Race. He also reached world No. 2 several weeks ago for the first time in his career. Since the Italian defeated Djokovic in the Australian Open semifinals, the Serbian has a poor record of 5-3 and has barely accumulated points since then.

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Sinner could be No. 1 at the end of the French Open even without competing in the tournament.

the next ranking update, once the Rome Open is over, Djokovic will remain as No. 1 with 9,860 points, and Sinner as No. 2 with 8,770 points. Neither of them will play anything until Roland Garros, although Sinner has not yet confirmed his participation in the second Grand Slam of the year.

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With the defense of his French Open title in a few weeks, Djokovic has 2,000 points to defend, while Sinner only defends 45 points from the second round last year. If Sinner doesn't play in Paris, Djokovic will have the obligation to at least reach the final to remain as No. 1.

Points secured at the end of the French Open

Jannik Sinner: 8,725

Novak Djokovic: 7,860

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Infatti è chiaro che senza #Sinner avremmo vinto lo stesso contro Djokovic

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5:23 AM · May 5, 2024

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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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