Rank shift shocks the court, but not Mats Wilander: Novak Djokovic remains on top
ATPSaturday, 08 June 2024 at 15:31
Tennis legend Mats Wilander believes that Serbia’s Novak
Djokovic remains the best player in the world despite Italy’s Jannik Sinner
becoming the new world number one.
The 37-year-old is often regarded as the greatest player in
the history of men’s tennis in the Open era, having won as many as 24 Grand
Slam titles.
Djokovic is going through a lean patch this season. He has yet to play in the final of any event. That streak continued during the French Open when he was forced to withdraw just before the start of the quarterfinal
against Norway’s Casper Ruud.
Because of that, Djokovic ended up losing the top spot to
Sinner, who will be officially crowned the new world number one in men’s tennis once the rankings are updated after the French Open.
Former world number one Wilander, while talking to French media
outlet L’Equipe as quoted by Tennis 365, admitted that Sinner is having a great
season but suggested that for him, Djokovic will remain the best player in the
world, with or without number one rank.
Novak Djokovic lost the top spot to Italy's Jannik Sinner.
“I know very well that Sinner has just had an exceptional
first part of the season and that the computer is not lying,” he said. “But I
also don’t forget that Novak remains the defending champion at the US Open and
the Masters (ATP Finals), and that he was a finalist at Wimbledon a year ago.
As long as he is there, for me, he remains the best.”
Sinner is going through a fabulous season where he won his
maiden Grand Slam after beating Russia’s Daniil Medvedev in the final in a
five-set thriller with a score of 3–6, 3–6, 6–4, 6–4, 6–3.
The San Candido-born recently participated at the Roland
Garros, where his journey finally came to an end in the semifinal when he lost
to Spain’s Carlos Alcaraz with a score of 2-6, 6-3, 3-6, 6-4, 6-3.
Azeem Siddiqui is a seasoned sports journalist and data analyst with a strong background in both digital media and live sports production.
He began his journalism career working with partners of The New York Times and has since contributed to several leading international sports publications, including Fox Sports Asia, Calciomercato, and GiveMeSport. Since 2023, Azeem has been part of the TennisUpToDate team, where he has played a key role in sustaining the platform’s growth and ensuring tennis fans receive timely and reliable coverage of the sport’s biggest stories.
In addition to his editorial work, Azeem has extensive experience as a data analyst in live sports broadcasting—particularly in cricket—where he combines analytical precision with creative storytelling. He has collaborated with multiple production companies and cricket boards worldwide, delivering real-time insights and data-driven narratives during live match coverage.
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