Italian is staying true to himself despite Monday’s official coronation as world No.1
©️Corinne Dubreuil / FFTWith a rise to the top of the world imminent, Jannik Sinner’s feet were nonetheless staying firmly planted on Roland-Garros’ terre battue.
In the aftermath of learning on Tuesday that he’d reach the world No.1 ranking when the new list is released the day after Roland-Garros concludes, the first words out of Sinner’s mouth were not solely about himself.
“It represents a great result of work ethic from me and my team,” he said, first thanking his coaches Simone Vagnozzi and Darren Cahill during his on-court interview with former ATP pro Fabrice Santoro.
“It was one of our goals this year, but the most important goal is to improve as a player and as a person, surrounding myself with great people. I think I can be very happy and pleased with what I’m doing and what my team is doing.
“It’s for sure not the way I wanted to become No.1, with Novak retiring, but in another way, the last period I’ve played some really good tennis and I’m happy to be in the position. It’s something new coming up for me and something good, so I’m very happy.”
It shouldn’t have been a surprise: Sinner’s earnestness and modesty have been a hallmark of his meteoric rise, which started four years ago when he first reached the top 10, but became solidified with a litany of other major milestones during the first six months of 2024.
After becoming the first Italian man to win a Grand Slam singles title at the Australian Open in January, Sinner thanked his “perfect” parents, who both worked in a ski lodge and never put pressure on him to become a champion - and the trend continued after he won his second career ATP Masters 1000 title in Miami in March. He joked that he hoped his newfound superstardom wouldn't disrupt his parents' day-to-day life too much.
In Paris, Sinner has been equally effusive in dishing out the credit, to his coaches - “I’m lucky to have both of them and all the rest of the team,” he asserted - and otherwise.
©Corinne Dubreuil / FFTHis soon-to-be world-topping status is not just as a singular achievement, he says, but part of a broader “movement” that Italian tennis is currently having.
With No.12 seed Jasmine Paolini into the semi-finals in both singles and doubles with Sara Errani, and Simone Bolelli and Andrea Vavassori into the semi-finals in the men’s doubles, il Tricolore is in the midst of one of its best collective runs at a Grand Slam tournament in recent history.
“It means a lot, but I think it's great for Italy. We are a great country with great coaches and players, and we can see this now, how this moment is,” Sinner said. “I'm happy to be part of this Italian movement. People, they start to play tennis now more and more, which is great to see. I think that's the most important.
“If someone is No.1 or No.2 or No.10, everyone is trying their best. We have a lot of tournaments. We have junior tournaments and futures and challengers, and we have great tournaments, ATP tournaments, we have ATP Finals in Turin and [a Masters] in Rome, and we had the NextGen [Finals] in Milan. It's great to see this movement in Italy.
“I think Italy deserves it, no, because it's a great country. We have everything.”
But will it have its first men's singles champion at Roland-Garros in nearly 50 years when the final ball is struck on Court Philippe-Chatrier on Sunday?
ROLAND-GARROS
19 May - 8 June 2025
