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Home, sweet home: Sinner celebrates World No. 1 in 'special' hometown visit

  • Posted: Jun 11, 2024

Home, sweet home.

Jannik Sinner returned to his hometown of Sexten in northern Italy Tuesday to continue the celebration of his ascent to No. 1 in the PIF ATP Rankings. The 22-year-old was warmly received by a large contingent of media and local residents.

“It’s always an amazing feeling going back where I was born, where my family raised me. It’s always a special feeling,” Sinner said ahead of the trip. “Coming home, I always have my memories in my head, going to ski and seeing myself with friends playing as a little kid and child. Always coming back to that place is special.

“It makes me feel home, it makes me feel very happy where I am from and very proud. Giving something back to this beautiful place, it’s something truly amazing.”

 

Sinner became the first Italian singles player, man or woman, to reach the pinnacle of tennis since the inception of computerised rankings in 1973.

“I think the reaction in Italy will be great. They gave me so much energy, especially in the moments where I was struggling. Sharing this moment with them and with all the people who support me, it’s amazing,” Sinner said. “I was always looking forward to giving something back to the people who helped me and share success with them. And now I can share this World No. 1, which is the ultimate goal for every player, with the whole country. It’s one of the best feelings.”

The World No. 1 was received at a special welcome ceremony by local officials including Sexten mayor Thomas Summerer. Sinner signed the golden book of his hometown, which the town only uses for the most special events. He was the first to sign it.

<img src=”/-/media/images/news/2024/06/11/20/31/sinner-world-no-1-sexten.jpg” style=”width:100%;” alt=”Jannik Sinner” />
Photo Credit: Corinne Dubreuil/ATP Tour
The superstar also visited Tennishalle Sexten, the tennis centre where he first began to play tennis. Sinner met with the many kids there to greet him, answered questions for the crowd and also spoke to the media.

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Tuesday Trivia: Jannik Sinner's ascent to World No. 1

  • Posted: Jun 11, 2024

Jannik Sinner made history Monday when he climbed to No. 1 in the PIF ATP Rankings following Roland Garros.

The 22-year-old now stands at the pinnacle of the sport, which he says is “the biggest meaning we have in our sport. It’s the best number you can have”.

In the latest edition of ATPTour.com’s ‘Tuesday Trivia’ series, we test your knowledge of Sinner’s rise to World No. 1.

 

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Zverev withdraws from Stuttgart

  • Posted: Jun 11, 2024

Alexander Zverev withdrew from the BOSS OPEN on Tuesday due to fatigue.

The No. 4 player in the PIF ATP Rankings reached the Roland Garros final, his second championship match at a Grand Slam tournament (2020 US Open).

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“I’ve played a lot of tennis in the last few weeks and reached the final in Paris, where I played five tough sets,” Zverev said. “I feel that my body is not ready to go from clay to grass now.”

The German owns a 34-10 record this season. He won an ATP Masters 1000 title on clay in Rome.

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Former champ Berrettini earns hard-fought Stuttgart win, Giron beats Murray

  • Posted: Jun 11, 2024

Two-time BOSS OPEN champion Matteo Berrettini improved his impressive record in Stuttgart on Tuesday when he clawed past eighth seed Roman Safiullin 7-6(8), 5-7, 7-5 in a first-round thriller.

The Italian, playing for the first time since Monte-Carlo in April, saved one set point in the first set and raised his level in the decider. The former World No. 6 fired 13 aces in the third set and fended off all four break points he faced, according to ATP Infosys Stats, to advance after two hours and 57 minutes.

Berrettini clinched the crown in Stuttgart in 2019 and 2022 and will next meet Denis Shapovalov or Matteo Martineau at the grass-court ATP 250. Berrettini has often found his best level on grass. The 28-year-old won the Queen’s Club trophy in 2021 and 2022 and advanced to the Wimbledon final in 2021.

“First match after a few months and I was hoping for something easier,” Berrettini joked. “I think I am really happy with the way I fought on court. After not playing for months it is not easy to comeback and play well and that is what I told myself, just to fight. Just to try to enjoy because I missed it and I am really happy to be back here.”

[ATP APP]

Marcos Giron earned his first win against a current or former World No. 1 when he defeated Andy Murray 6-3, 6-4 in Stuttgart. The American won 80 per cent (33/41) of his first-serve points to set a second-round clash with Jack Draper.

Murray reached the final in Stuttgart in 2022 but will drop out of the Top 100 for the first time since Janaury 2022 next Monday following his 11th tour-level loss of the year.

The Scot has won seven of his 46 tour-level titles on grass.

Berrettini’s countryman Lorenzo Musetti also advanced to the second round in Germany. The fifth seed defeated French qualifier Giovanni Mpetshi Perricard 7-6(9), 7-6(11). The No. 30 in the PIF ATP Rankings saved two set points in the first set and one set point in the second set.

“It was a really tough, challenging match, particularly returning his serve,” Musetti said. “I am really happy on getting my first win on grass. It is always nice to play here and I have good sensations and feelings and looking forward to the next days.”

Musetti, who reached the quarter-finals in Stuttgart last year, plays Germany’s Dominik Koepfer in the second round.

In other action, Frenchman Arthur Rinderknech beat #NextGenATP American Alex Michelsen 6-4, 7-5, while Australian James Duckworth eliminated Pierre-Hugues Herbert 6-4, 7-6(2). Duckworth next faces second seed Ben Shelton.

Germany’s Jan-Lennard Struff, who reached the final last year, beat Flavio Cobolli 7-6(7), 6-3.

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Agassi, Federer congratulate Sinner: 'If the universe had a tennis tournament, Earth would pick you'

  • Posted: Jun 11, 2024

Jannik Sinner joined one of the most prestigious groups in tennis on Monday when he became the 29th player to rise to No. 1 in the history of the PIF ATP Rankings.

The 22-year-old is the first Italian to rise to top spot. A host of former World No. 1’s, including Andre Agassi, Roger Federer and Andy Roddick, shared words of praise to celebrate the Italian’s achievement.

“Hey Jannik, Andre here. Let me be one of the many to congratulate you on being the No. 1 tennis player in the world. That is one heck of an achievement and I can’t think of anybody that deserves it more than you,” Agassi said. “Here’s kind of a cool way to look at it. If the universe had a tennis tournament, Earth would pick you. How cool is that? Enjoy.”

Federer spent a record 237 consecutive weeks at No. 1 from 2004 to 2008.

“Hey Jannik. Many congratulations also from my side to become World No. 1,” Federer said. “I think this for me personally maybe the ultimate achievement and I am sure you are incredibly happy and you should be so proud. I’m sure also Italy is loving you right now as they should being the first Italian player ever to be World No. 1. It is incredible. I couldn’t be happier for you. You are a great person, great player and I wish you only the best for the future Jannik. Take care, I’ll see you soon.”

Roddick was the ATP Year-End No. 1 presented by PIF in 2003 after he won his only major at that year’s US Open. The American shared words of encouragement to Sinner.

“Jannik Sinner, congratulations,” Roddick said. “I just wanted to give a huge shoutout on this monumental accomplishment. I know that it takes a lifetime of work and I also know that the Tour never stops. I hope you find a little bit of time to sit back and take in what you’ve accomplished, getting to No. 1 in the World. Wow, I promise you no one can ever take it away from you.

“From where I sit, it has been an absolute pleasure to watch the way that you act, the way that you’ve improved, the way that you strive for greatness already at such a young age. I hope to see many, many, many more years of it and please give our best to your team because we also know that no one can do it alone, but congrats and I hope you take some time and really soak it in.”

 

Bjorn Borg was the fourth man to climb to No. 1 when he reached the pinnacle of the sport in 1977. The legendary Swede won 11 major titles and was ranked in the world’s year-end Top 10 across eight straight seasons between 1973 and 1981.

“In 1973 when the ATP Rankings came out the big thing was to be the No. 1 player in the world,” Borg said. “That’s one of the most important things. And I have to say, Jannik, you are the No. 1 player in the world and congratulations to you because I know how difficult it is to be the best player in the world and I hope you’re going to stay for a long time. I know you have a new generation coming after you, but you made a point and hope you’re going to stay for many weeks to come.”

Yevgeny Kafelnikov overtook Pete Sampras to become No. 1 in May 1999. The 26-time tour-level titlist remained in top spot for six weeks.

“I would like to congratulate you with one of the greatest achievements in men’s tennis, reaching the World No. 1 ranking,” Kafelnikov said. “It is a pinnacle that most tennis players only dream about. And I know that all the hard work that you’ve put in paid off. Personally, I want you to continue to bring excitement to all the Italian fans and the fans all over the world with your game. So enjoy your day. Well done and welcome to the club.”

Andy Murray spent 41 weeks at No. 1, climbing to top spot for the first time in November 2016. The Scot fell to Sinner in their most recent Lexus ATP Head2Head meeting in Dubai in 2022.

“Hi Jannik. I just wanted to send a message to say congrats on getting to World No. 1 for the first time,” Murray said. “It is very well deserved. You have had an incredible year. I know how difficult it is to get there, but you fully deserve it. Well done and all the best.”

Icons Guga Kuerten, John McEnroe, Daniil Medvedev, Lleyton Hewitt, Patrick Rafter, Jim Courier, Mats Wilander, Boris Becker and Stefan Edberg also sent tributes to 13-time tour-level champion Sinner.

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