Jannik Sinner acknowledged on Tuesday that he had accepted coming in behind his competitor Carlos Alcaraz in the rankings for the season. The Italian, ranked number two globally, yielded his top position to the Spaniard following their clash in the US Open final in September, ending his 65-week reign. “Finishing the year at No. 1 seems unattainable. I’m not focusing on that currently. It’s a goal for the upcoming year,” Sinner conveyed to the press prior to his Paris Masters debut.
Despite trailing Alcaraz by a margin of fewer than 1,000 points, Sinner could potentially surpass him if he emerges victorious at the Paris Masters and Alcaraz falls short of reaching the semifinals. However, Sinner will need to defend 1,500 points at the ATP Finals in Turin, a title he secured in 2024, while Alcaraz has minimal points to potentially lose after being eliminated in the group phase. “This year, the outcome is beyond my control,” Sinner added succinctly.
Entering the Paris tournament in good form following his recent triumph at the Vienna Open, Sinner, aged 24, has faced challenges from the demanding season. He withdrew from the Shanghai Masters due to cramps in October and encountered thigh issues in Vienna. “The concerns in Vienna were distinct from before,” Sinner disclosed. “It felt normal. Playing five consecutive days, the final was physically demanding. It’s part of the game.”
Despite the physical strains, the four-time Grand Slam champion expressed confidence in his physical condition ahead of his Paris opener against Zizou Bergs from Belgium on Wednesday. “Physically, I’m not anxious. I’m feeling good now. Naturally fatigued, having played five matches consecutively and arriving here without much recovery time,” he remarked. “But I’m content with my current state. I’m recuperating better each day.”