Djokovic gives up: Sinner is number 1 in the world!

A bang at the French Open: Novak Djokovic cannot play in his quarter-final against Casper Ruud on Wednesday due to injury. This means that Jannik Sinner will be the new number 1 in the world from next Monday.

June 04, 2024

By: leo/det

A South Tyrolean on the throne of the big, wide tennis world – that sounds crazy, unbelievable, even surreal. But a young man named Jannik Sinner did it. It has been clear since Tuesday afternoon that the 22-year-old from Sexten will be number 1 in the world for the first time next week.

After his outstanding achievements this year, it was only a matter of time before the man from Sexten catapulted himself to the top of tennis. In the last few hours the scenario became more and more concrete. The reason: The previous holder of the throne, Novak Djokovic, was weak and injured.

Djokovic's injury is too serious

“I don’t know if I’ll play in the quarterfinals,” said the Serb on Tuesday after his five-set win against Francisco Cerundolo emphasized at the press conference. Around 24 hours later it is clear: the knee injury he sustained in the second set is so severe that it is impossible to compete. This was revealed by a magnetic resonance scan on Tuesday afternoon in Paris. To defend number 1, Djokovic would have had to at least make it to the final.

Novak Djokovic (right) hands over number 1 to Jannik Sinner. © ANSA / stf

On the one hand, the task means that Casper Ruud is the first semi-finalist in Roland Garros. On the other hand, Jannik Sinner will climb the tennis throne on Monday. When the news became official, Sinner was playing his quarterfinal against Grigor Dimitrov, which he played like a champion won 6:2, 6:4, 7:6 (3) and moved into the semi-finals.

A historic day

In any case, next Monday, June 10th, will be a historic day. Then Sinner appears at number 1 in the world rankings for the first time. Never before had a professional from Italy made it this far. First the victory at the Australian Open, now number 1 in the world: the year 2024 has so far been nothing but a fairy tale for Sinner. And one thing is certain: Sesto has not had enough yet.