Jannik Sinner discusses whether he feels added pressure after becoming world number one

Posted by Admin October 30, 2024 Tennis

Jannik Sinner discusses how he feels about the pressure that comes with being the World number one.

Sinner reached the summit of the men’s game for the first time in June, during his run to the French Open semi-finals.

He has taken it in his stride and has claimed four of his seven titles in 2024 after becoming the 29th ATP World number one in history.

This is just part of the truly fantastic season Sinner has had, and he aims to finish it on a winning note when he plays in November’s ATP Finals.

Does Jannik Sinner feel the pressure of being World number one?

It is natural for a player to feel added pressure or expectations being the World number one. Every other player is hunting down that position and there is more scrutiny on the top ranked player than any other.

But Sinner says this is the furthest thing from his mind, and his results throughout the season would prove that to be correct.

“Honestly I don’t think so much about this. This is something I’ve worked my whole life, you know, to be world No 1. Now I am there and I just try to enjoy,” World number one Sinner told Eurosport.

“Every match you have a lot of pressure, you have a lot of expectations, but this pressure and expectations starts from my side because I want to win and prove to myself that I am capable to win these kinds of matches.

“Of course it’s never easy, you know, to be in that position, but I always say it’s a huge privilege to be in this position and I try to enjoy some good tennis. The rest I cannot control.”

Photo by Sarah Stier/Getty Images

How did Jannik Sinner become the World number one?

Sinner reached the top of the ATP rankings for the first time when the rankings were updated on June 10.

This is because on June 4, former World number one Novak Djokovic withdrew from the French Open before his quarter-final match against Casper Ruud due to a knee injury.

The Serbian lost plenty of ranking points as he won the French Open the previous year and Sinner, who was already breathing down his neck and made the semi-finals in Paris, overtook Djokovic in the rankings.

“It represents a great result of work ethic,” Sinner said. “It was one of my goals for myself and my team this year. The most important goal is always to improve as a player and as a person, surrounding myself with great people.

“I think I can be very happy and pleased with what I am doing as well as my team. In the last period I’ve played some really good tennis. I’m very happy to be in this position.”