It means a lot to me – Jannik Sinner on achieving number 1 position in ATP rankings

Jannik Sinner is the new number one in the ATP rankings after Roland Garros defending champion Novak Djokovic had to withdraw from the tournament due to a right knee injury. Sinner registered a straight-set win in the French Open quarterfinals against Grigor Dimitrov as he won 6-2, 6-4, 7-6.

The Italian advanced to the semifinals, where he will meet arch-rival Carlos Alcaraz. Sinner said he has learned a lot from some of his heart-breaking losses and he has always looked to bounce back strongly.

Earlier in the season, Sinner won his first Grand Slam title as he defeated Daniil Medvedev in the Australian Open final. The Italian also bested 10-time Australian Open champion Novak Djokovic in the semis.

“I think I’ve learned a lot from the losses I had, especially one year ago here,” said Sinner, who was upset by Daniel Altmaier in Paris in 2023, in his post-match press conference. “I learned, and I had to accept to learn from myself, of my body language. I worked a lot on that.

“Then I had also the US Open. I had a little switch after the Sascha [Zverev] loss. There are some moments where you have to realise what you have done wrong and sometimes it’s tough to accept, but this is the right way. I have very honest people around me, and they tell me only the truth. When it’s good, it’s good; when it’s bad, it’s bad. It’s part of the process.”

Sinner said it is tough for the tournament that Djokovic was forced to withdraw but he is really happy to climb to the top of the PIF ATP rankings.

“It means a lot to me for sure,” reflected Sinner. “It’s not the way we all were expecting actually. He (Djokovic) had two very long matches, tough matches, five sets, so it’s tough. The first one he finished really late also. It’s tough also for the tournament. Novak [withdrawing], it’s always tough.

“Talking about myself, I am very happy about this achievement. It’s a lot of work we put in daily. It’s a daily routine. Obviously happy to have this number. In two days, there is a very important match for me, the semi-finals, so I’m focused about that at the moment. But yes, of course, I’m very happy to have this number now.”

Sinner will face Alcaraz on Friday in the semifinals of the Roland Garros.