Jannik Sinner has replaced Novak Djoković as the world’s number one tennis player. He has now been honored for this achievement – by Boris Becker. The German predicts a bright future for Sinner.
Three-time Wimbledon champion Boris Becker has honored Italy’s tennis star Jannik Sinner for becoming the world’s number one player at the end of the year. Sinner, 23, replaced the Serb record-breaking Grand Slam tournament winner Novak Djoković in June and took the top spot in the world rankings for the first time. In an outstanding season, the South Tyrolean won the Australian Open and the US Open, thus celebrating his first two Grand Slam titles.
“To be honest, I’m not really surprised,” Becker said of Sinner’s rise. His determination is outstanding. Sinner could remain number one for a long time, Becker said.
Becker became number one in 1991
The 56-year-old presented the award together with ATP boss Andrea Gaudenzi. Becker was greeted with applause from the audience in the hall, which was almost completely full shortly before Alexander Zverev’s first appearance at the ATP Finals this year. As a former leader, Becker is also part of the new number 1 club of the professional organization ATP. He had become world number one in 1991. This fulfilled a “childhood dream” for him, Becker recalled.
Meanwhile, Sinner is still facing a ban despite being acquitted of two positive doping tests. The World Anti-Doping Agency (Wada) recently lodged an appeal with the International Court of Justice for Sport (Cas) in Lausanne.
Sinner started the year-end tournament in Turin on Sunday evening with a commanding two-set victory over Australian Alex de Minaur. On Tuesday (8:30 p.m./Sky), the local hero can underpin his role as favorite for the title in his home country in a duel with American Taylor Fritz.
