A dream come true! Sinner will be the world’s number one. Is it realistic that Djokovic will return to the top?

A dream come true. Jannik Sinner will become the first Italian to top the ATP rankings. How likely is Novak Djokovic’s assault on that post?

Sinner number one

Even before the French Open started, a change in the world number one position was expected. Djokovic did put up another heroic fight though, turning around a duel with Argentine Cerundolo in the eighth round despite health problems. But a day later, he announced his withdrawal from the Paris Grand Slam.

However, Sinner played all by himself. Since last summer, he has managed to win three tournaments, including the Masters in Toronto. He played a great domestic Masters Tournament, where he reached the final.

In 2024, he’s taking things to an even higher level. He won his first Grand Slam title earlier this year and has only recorded two defeats during this season. One from Alcaraz on hard court and one from Tsitsipas on clay.

Bottom line, Sinner is the first Italian to be ranked at the top of the ATP rankings. And although he doesn’t like to talk too much about such things, the 22-year-old has always worked hard to achieve this success.

Djokovic’s comeback

With Novak Djokovic, it’s hard to predict what’s to come. Whether in individual matches or longer-term performance, the Serbian tennis player is capable of incredible upsets.

Either way, his return to his freshly lost position is unrealistic. At least in the next few months. There are at least three reasons for this.

The first issue is the health of the legendary tennis player, which is best described by the events of the last few days. But not only those, the number of matches in which Djokovic has not exactly been in optimal physical condition this year would not fit on the fingers of one hand.

Another minus is his form. After all, Djokovic has failed to win a single tournament this year. Yes, he has shown great turnarounds, but usually against tennis players outside the very top. For example, he lost three of his last four matches against Sinner.

The last reason describing the difficulty of the mission to return to the world number one position is the ATP ranking system. The points earned remain in it for one year.

So Djokovic will have his work cut out for him to defend the ones he won last year. For example, he played the Wimbledon final. He triumphed at the US Open, two Masters tournaments and also at the final Masters Tournament.

With all due respect to the legendary tennis player, it would be a big surprise if, in a concours between Alcaraz and Sinner, Djokovic defends last year’s results and holds his position at all. His upward attack is not on the agenda. Never say never though.

Sources: ATP, X, Eurosport