The first was Ilie Nastase, the record holder is Pete Sampras with 6. The new player is an Italian with red hair, the tennis man of the year, despite everything. Now it’s official: Jannik Sinner will end 2024 as world number one, after yesterday’s success against the Czech Machac (6-4, 7-5) which gives him this morning’s semi-final against Djokovic and, above all, entry into the gallery of the Best, in short, those who sit on the throne of rackets at the end of the season. It was now a matter of time, but the fact that Carlos Alcaraz will prefer Arab money for the millionaire Six King Cup exhibition in Arabia to the minor ATP tournaments (pecunia non olet) has given the stamp of officiality to the matter. Which is the icing on the cake of Italian tennis, which will see our team everywhere in the ATP and WTA finals: Jannik, in fact, with Bolelli and Vavassori in doubles in Turin, Paolini in singles and with Errani in doubles in Riyadh. Incredible, yet all true.
In the meantime, however, there is a 1000m final to win in Shanghai, and among other things against Novak. Sinner in the semi-final under the eyes of Federer – he resisted Machac’s attacks, accelerating at the right point, and even ending up breaking the frame of his rival’s racket (“you hit too hard”, the other guy, already witty before, told him laughing : to an «I love you Roger» followed by an «I love you, Jannik», he looked at the audience and said «not to me?»); Djokovic, on the other hand, was out of breath against Fritz, beating him in two sets and for the tenth time out of ten. It had been almost a year (since Paris Bercy 2023) that the Serbian had not reached the final, and this is news. But this time other news comes to us from a challenger, given that for the current (and near future) number one it is the eighth final of the year (64 wins and 6 losses the updated score of the matches) of which he has so far failed only one, the one with Alcaraz in Beijing. In short, the Cannibal is Italian: «Closing the year as number 1 was my childhood dream, he said after the match -, it’s something you look for ever since you start playing. For Italy it is a very beautiful thing. It’s a beautiful country, we have everything we need: food, mountains, seas and everything else. As everyone grows up, they develop their own mentality, which is different in every corner and region, and it’s a really nice thing. I am proud to be Italian, I try to give something back to the fans who have given me so much love. But it’s not just me, we are many excellent players: we are in the Top 100, in the Top 200, it’s wonderful to see our tennis grow so much and we hope it can grow even more.”
Growing up, the formula that brought him this far. And it will also take him to the super exhibition among the Slam champions (plus one who would like to become one) which in Italy will be broadcast by Sky and, free-to-air, also by Supertennis from Wednesday to Saturday: six super big names on the court with Djokovic and Nadal ( in his penultimate appearance) directly into the semifinals. Sinner could have a new challenge with Nole if he beats Medvedev, Rafa awaits the winner of Alcaraz-Rune.
Just to be clear, the players get 1.5 million dollars just to enter the field, the winner takes home 6. This is to say that now the man of the year could also become a golden man.
Tv: Sinner-Djokovic Sky 10.30
Jannik Sinner: The Red-Haired Wonder of Tennis
Hold on to your rackets, folks! We’ve witnessed history on the courts, and it’s not just because Jannik Sinner has the kind of hair that looks like it should be in a shampoo commercial. No, this is the real deal. Sinner has officially planted his flag on the summit of the tennis world—set to finish 2024 as the world number one. That’s right! A kid with a mop of flaming red hair is taking the crown, and my goodness, doesn’t he make it look trendy!
Jannik sealed the deal after a much-deserved victory against the Czech player Machac (6-4, 7-5). This guy doesn’t just play tennis; he practically dances around the court like it’s a fancy Italian wedding. Now, the semi-finals await, and who’s waiting in the wings? None other than the tennis Terminator himself—Novak Djokovic. Can we get a round of applause, a standing ovation, and perhaps a dramatic re-enactment of the Rocky theme?
Now let’s get real here. Carlos Alcaraz, the youthful rival with his fancy Arab money lured him into exhibition matches faster than you can say “pecunia non olet” (because apparently, money doesn’t stink). But fear not, Italy has more than one trick in its cappa—Jannik Sinner is leading a tennis renaissance so remarkable that even the spaghetti is proud. Seriously, pasta is standing tall, and so should we!
In the interim, Sinner is set to face off against Novak in a 1000m final in Shanghai. That’s not a typo, by the way—not an Olympic sprint, just a final… in tennis. Wouldn’t that be something, though? “And the winner is… the one who can run a thousand meters fastest.” Just when you thought you understood tennis scoring, the Italians throw in a wildcard!
But let’s not forget our powerful stars of the show. Sinner is not alone in this Italian renaissance; folks like Bolelli, Vavassori, Paolini, and Errani are dancing along the courts, making us wonder if we should all be enrolling in a tennis academy. Forget about pizza classes—there’s an Italian tennis dynasty brewing.
And let’s discuss cash flow for a moment. Just to wade in those golden waters, players are racking in a cool 1.5 million dollars just to show up! That’s not a prize; that’s an entrance fee for feeling good about myself! The winner? Six million dollars. Talk about a case of the rich getting richer. One moment, I’m struck with the realization that my car is a decade old, and the next, everyone’s swimming in cash on the tennis court!
As for Jannik, his words echo like the bells of Italy: “Closing the year as number 1 was my childhood dream…” And frankly, he should be dreaming bigger! The kid’s got everything—passion, talent, and the hair to match. I can just hear the Italian grandmothers from here: “We have our pasta, our wine, and just look at that boy! He’s ready for Hollywood.”
The excitement doesn’t stop here, folks! Sinner is expected to face off against the likes of Medvedev and possibly Djokovic once again in those semis. The tennis gods are smiling, and I’m sure they’re thinking, “How can we create more drama?”
So, grab your popcorn, sit back, and enjoy the show. Because if there’s one thing we know—this isn’t just another match; it’s a spectacle worthy of your complete attention. Let’s be a part of history! Sinner is here to make Italy proud, and honestly, his spirit is contagious. Just make sure to remember your sunglasses because this kid’s future is bright.
Catch Sinner vs. Djokovic on Sky at 10:30—don’t miss it, or you might have to listen to your friends recounting every single shot over brunch! And imagine that—missing one of the hottest matches of the season because you were busy staring into the fridge.
