Amazing Novak Djokovic statistic puts emotional Jannik Sinner celebrations into perspective
11/11/2024 06:23 PM
Jannik Sinner admitted he was emotional after his mother wept in the crowd as he collected the trophy for finishing the ATP Tour season as world No 1.
Sinner is the first Italian to achieve the feat, with the ceremony giving him his world No 1 trophy taking place in front of his adoring Italian fans attending the ATP Finals in Turin.
"I just heard that my mom was crying, which is something very cute," said Sinner. "Only they know from my early age and stages, when I was around 13, how many sacrifices we made as a family.
"Now I'm standing here with one of the, maybe the most special trophy I have.
"This is a very consistent trophy. You have to play one year of very consistent tennis, so this is for sure a very, very tough trophy to get.
"It's a nice feeling special sharing these kinds of moments here in Italy with the crowd.
“This would not be possible without all the people I have around and especially these kind of people I want to keep forever, because it has a journey from the beginning.
“I would like to thank the support, my team, the people who are close to me. Without these people, it would not be possible. It’s a very special occasion to receive this in Italy.
“It’s a very exclusive club being the No 1 in the world and it’s the ultimate goal we have. Fifty-two weeks of consistent tennis and it wouldn’t be possible without the people around me.
“Continue to keep people close to you who you are comfortable with. These are the people who are always going to help you."
Former world No 1 Boris Becker was at Sinner’s world No 1 presentation and he spoke to the ATP about Sinner’s success.
"It was a childhood dream of mine to become the very best,” said Becker.
"You don't really believe it. It took me a couple of years. I was a longtime No. 2 before I became No. 1. But to be amongst the good and the great of tennis is very special.
"The consistency he has at only 23 years of age is remarkable. He always has a level, he never goes under that level and again, I'm not surprised.
"I think he's going to be around the No 1 for a long time. Yes, we have (Carlos) Alcaraz and we have many others, but I think he's the man to beat for a long time."
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Former Britain No 1 Tim Henman also paid tribute to Sinner, as he suggested big improvements in key areas of his game have taken him to world No 1.
“You look at his tennis skills. His serve has got better and better but for me, it’s his ball-striking from the back of the court,” Henman told Sky Sports Tennis.
“He’s got long levers and although he doesn’t look the strongest physically, but in terms of shot for shot, I don’t think anyone hits the ball harder.
“His movement in and out of the court and his defensive skills have improved and I think he’s looking to finish a few more balls at the net. He’s doing all the right things.”
Amid the emotional scenes, Sinner was added to a list of players who claimed the year-end world No 1 ranking, with Novak Djokovic setting a record that may never be beaten in this race.
The relentlessly consistent Djokovic won the year-end world No 1 title on a remarkable eight occasions, with his first win coming in 2011.
He won it for an eighth and possibly final time last year, setting a record that puts him in a league of his own.
YEAR END WORLD NO 1’s
Novak Djokovic – 8
Pete Sampras – 6
Roger Federer – 5
Rafael Nadal – 5
Jimmy Connors – 5
John McEnroe – 4
Ivan Lendl – 4
Bjorn Borg – 2
Stefan Edberg – 2
Lleyton Hewitt – 2
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