"The world number one ranking is simply a consequence of results" - Italian legend advises Jannik Sinner to divert attention away from imminent World No.1 battle

Jannik Sinner is currently riding a crest of a wave. The Italian is flying at the top end of tennis after clinching a hugely impressive Sunshine double, making history by not even dropping a set while continuing his ominous form at this level. Ugo Humbert was his latest victim to kick off his campaign at the Monte-Carlo Masters as the number one ranking comes into sight. However, he has been cautioned by fellow Italian great Paolo Bertolucci that this should be the least of his concerns.

Sinner did not partake in this tournament last year, frustratingly being perched on the sidelines due to a doping suspension. This prevented him from competing in a whole bunch of events ranging from the Sunshine double to the first tournament on clay, right up to his home event at the Rome Open.

In contrast to this, he is now defending no points and has the chance to launch himself up the rankings, each tournament a free hit with little pressure at this current time. 2000 points were added in a magnificent outing in the USA where Indian Wells and the Miami Open titles were both claimed in superb fashion, brushing aside any doubts that he was not at his overall best.

He will be very much hoping to convert this onto clay. A two-time semi-finalist in Monaco, Sinner has surprisingly never won a Masters 1000 title on this surface, winning all prior seven triumphs on a more favourable hardcourt.

In recent years, he has shown his strength on clay, reaching the Rome Open final on his return last year before coming extremely close from winning Roland Garros, spurning three match points before Carlos Alcaraz completed a mighty turnaround to defend his title. The 24-year-old will settle for nothing aside from revenge with that being the main aim to conclude what is set to be an exhilarating period of action.

Sinner enjoyed an illustrious period as world number one, ranging from June 2024 to September 2025, only losing it after Alcaraz won the US Open. He was back on top for a single week in November of last year, boosting his tally to an impressive 66 weeks. However, he will want that number to skyrocket in the coming weeks.

With Alcaraz having to defend 1000 points in Monte-Carlo plus what he earned from a final appearance in Barcelona, Sinner senses his chance. Bertoluccia acknowledged that his fellow countryman was in great form, but had played a lot of matches to rise to this level, and could risk fatigue. “Jannik is very confident after his victories in Indian Wells and Miami, even if he might be feeling a bit tired,” he told La Gazzetta dello Sport.

“His decision to play in Monaco wasn’t a given, as he only had a few days to find the right moment and refine his technique. These are all elements that make the difference on clay. Monte-Carlo will also allow him to fine-tune his technique, knowing that his real objective is Roland-Garros."

He was purely interested in Sinner winning titles, underlining the number one ranking as a side issue which should not be prioritised until the end of the year. "The world number one ranking is simply a consequence of results," he said. "I don’t think it’s that important. What really matters is finishing the year at the top of the ATP rankings, because there are also bonuses linked to sponsorships. No one can be number one all season, and I think all this frenzy around the rankings is unfounded.”

The improvement is clear to see from the four-time Grand Slam champion. His rivalry with Alcaraz has pushed both players into a different stratosphere compared to anyone else, regularly meeting for titanic showdowns in some of the biggest tournaments.

Bertoluccia noted and highlighted that even the subtle changes made a difference. “Jannik Sinner has clearly grown. Week after week, he brings something more," he stated. "These are details, subtleties, not always visible, but it’s continuous improvement to his technical arsenal."

He shared an example based on his serve. "If we remember his serve two years ago, when everyone doubted and thought it wouldn’t lead anywhere… Even then, we said to stay calm: the motion was good, the timing was good, the ball toss too. It was just a matter of time and work. Few believed it. And now, this crazy serve."

Sinner had no trouble demolishing Ugo Humbert, winning 10 of the last 100 games to book his spot in the second round. Alcaraz soon followed with a convincing win over Sebastian Baez. Many have hotly tipped them from reaching the final and locking horns for the first time on the ATP Tour in 2026, a sight to behold and cherish for many tennis fans.