October 10, (THEWILL) – Italian tennis star Jannik Sinner has mathematically ensured his position as the year-end world number one for 2024. This achievement follows the loss of Carlos Alcaraz at the Shanghai Masters quarter-finals, which eliminated any possibility of the Spaniard overtaking Sinner in the remaining tournaments of the year.
Sinner, who advanced to the semi-finals in Shanghai with a convincing 6-1, 6-4 victory over Daniil Medvedev, now holds a commanding 3,020-point lead over Alcaraz in the ATP Race to Turin. With 9,730 points accumulated from this year’s tournaments, Sinner has built an insurmountable advantage. Alcaraz, currently at 6,710 points, can only reach a maximum of 9,210 points even if he wins both the Paris Masters and the Tour Finals.
The confirmation of Sinner’s top ranking came after world No. 33 Tomas Machac upset Alcaraz in a closely contested match, winning 7-6(5) 7-5. Machac’s performance, which ended Alcaraz’s 12-match winning streak, sets up a semi-final clash with Sinner in Shanghai. This result not only impacts the current tournament but also solidifies the rankings landscape for the remainder of the 2024 season.
Sinner’s ascension to year-end world number one adds a new dimension to his rivalry with Alcaraz. Both players have had remarkable seasons, each claiming two Grand Slam titles in 2024. Sinner edges ahead with six ATP titles compared to Alcaraz’s four. However, their head-to-head record still favours Alcaraz, who leads 6-4 in their 10 encounters.
Despite this significant achievement, Sinner’s tennis future remains uncertain due to an ongoing doping case. The World Anti-Doping Authority (WADA), has appealed the initial ruling and the outcome could potentially result in a ban of up to two years for the Italian player. This situation casts a shadow over Sinner’s remarkable season and could have far-reaching implications for his career and the sport of tennis.
Jude Obafemi is a versatile senior Correspondent at THEWILL Newspapers, excelling in sourcing, researching, and delivering sports news stories for both print and digital publications.
