Jannik Sinner's dream of becoming World Number One at Rome Open all but ends with Madrid Open withdrawal

Jannik Sinner's hopes of becoming World No.1 for the first time in Rome at the very least have taken a small dent with his withdrawal from the Madrid Open handing the initiative back to Novak Djokovic.

Similar to Coco Gauff and Aryna Sabalenka in the battle for World No.2, it seemed a foregone conclusion that Sinner would become World No.2 and could've done it as early as the Rome Open. The points total would've gone down to 240 points if the Italian had won the Madrid Open.

He would've needed to have gone further in Madrid this week and had a deep run in Rome in order to dethrone him. But it seems likely that he will have to wait until the French Open or the grass court season to do so as Djokovic just extends his stint at the top. The latter could be more likely.

Djokovic despite not playing the best this season will be seen as the favourite for the French Open as one of the only players not actually injured inside the top three. Carlos Alcaraz as well as Sinner have both had their problems this week in Madrid. But the grass court could gleam the chance with Sinner more likely to play warm-ups than Djokovic who tends just to enter the main event. He is also defending a final spot with Alcaraz defending a winners' cheque so both are under pressure. Sinner less so in both of the next two majors. So his time could come albeit not right now.

“I’ve struggled now a little bit in the last period with my right hip.. we’re trying to find a solution,” said Sinner. "I don’t think it’s anything serious. But I can feel it. Sometimes I feel it more like today. Some days are a little better. Let’s see. I have a good team behind me.”