Tennis News

What Sinner did this season that only Federer has done

Italian Jannik Sinner enjoyed a historic season in which he rose to World No. 1 in the PIF ATP Rankings and collected eight tour-level trophies, including his first two major titles.

Across 79 matches this year, spanning countless kilometres, surface changes, and elite competition, Sinner also achieved a feat previously accomplished only by Swiss legend Roger Federer. The 23-year-old never lost in straight sets.

Sinner and Federer are the only players in the Open Era to achieve this feat (minimum 20 matches played). Sinner finished his standout year with a 73-6 win-loss record, according to the Infosys ATP Win/Loss Index.

“My goal was to understand what I can achieve this year,” Sinner said after winning the Nitto ATP Finals, his eighth title of the year. “There was no specific goal of winning a Grand Slam or being No. 1 or whatever. It’s going to be the same next year: Whatever we can catch, we take, and the rest we learn.

“I think that was the mentality we approached this whole year [with] trying to raise my level in specific moments, which I’ve done throughout this year.”

Comparing Sinner’s 2024 season versus Federer’s 2005 season

A dive into the results shows how difficult it is to dethrone the man atop the PIF ATP Rankings. Five of Sinner’s six losses came to Top 10 opponents. His lowest-ranked loss was to then-World No. 12 Stefanos Tsitsipas in Monte-Carlo, where the Greek went on to capture the title.

Sinner’s great rival Carlos Alcaraz was a perfect 3-0 against the Italian this year, accounting for half of the six losses. When Alcaraz defeated Sinner, he eventually lifted the trophy, triumphing in Indian Wells, at Roland Garros and Beijing (where they met in the final).

Alcaraz and Tsitsipas’ victories mean that four of Sinner’s six losses came to the eventual champion.

How does this compare to Federer’s 2005 season? The Swiss went 81-4 that year and three of his losses came to the eventual champion at best-of-five tournaments. Federer also won two major titles in 2005 to bring his Slam tally to six.

Sinner has already solidified his place in the record books and if this season is an indication, he is setting the stage for an even brighter future.

“Going into my offseason, starting next year, I feel like I have a good idea of what things I need to improve on, but I also feel like I’m playing very good tennis,” Sinner said.

“Back when I was 5 [in the world], I didn’t feel like I was 5. Now I’m ranked where I’m at, I feel like I belong. It’s a different feeling. It’s been a great year. That gives me a lot of confidence to have that belief. That’s a huge part of having the big results.”

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Rivalries of 2024: Fritz vs. Zverev

To mark the end of another thrilling season, ATPTour.com is unveiling our annual ‘Best Of’ series, which will reflect on the most intriguing rivalries, matches, comebacks, upsets and more. This week, we are looking at the best rivalries of the year. 

Taylor Fritz appears to have mastered his rivalry with Alexander Zverev in their Lexus ATP Head2Head series this year.

The American, who finished the year at a career high of No. 4 in the PIF ATP Rankings, strung together four consecutive wins over Zverev across the back half of the season. After a resounding defeat to the German in the quarter-finals in Rome, Fritz locked in to showcase the evolution of their rivalry, marked by stunning comebacks, pivotal moments, and relentless competition.

Rome QFs, Zverev d. Fritz 6-4, 6-3
Two of the qualities that have proven pivotal in Zverev’s ascent to No. 2 in the PIF ATP Rankings have been his trusty backhand and vastly improved serve. In his Rome quarter-final clash with Fritz, however, it was his forehand that made the headlines.

After falling to the court in the third game, which drew audible gasps from the crowd, Zverev steadied himself to secure a commanding victory. The German produced an expertly measured performance to limit Fritz’s ability to attack from his favoured wing. Instead, Zverev unleashed 20 winners himself and faced no break points throughout the match, according to Infosys ATP Stats.

“That’s the shot I either win or lose matches with. That’s how it’s been my entire career,” Zverev said of his forehand. “When I’m hitting that shot well, that’s when I win.”

Zverev would go on to sweep the field in Rome to clinch his first ATP Masters 1000 trophy since the Cincinnati Open in 2021 and pull to a 5-3 lead in his Lexus ATP Head2Head with Fritz.

Wimbledon R16, Fritz d. Zverev 4-6, 6-7(4), 6-4, 7-6(3), 6-3

Leading two sets to love against Fritz in their Wimbledon clash, it seemed as if Zverev reignted his momentum from their meeting in Rome. However, if there was a textbook example of a ‘momentum shift’, it came with Zverev’s double fault at 4-4 in the third set.

It marked the first time his serve had been broken in the tournament and it also ignited a heroic comeback from Fritz, who clawed back and sealed victory from a two-set deficit for the third time in his career. Not only this, but it proved to be a significant juncture in their Lexus ATP Head2Head rivalry, which turned a sharp corner.

“I thought it would really suck to be playing this well and to lose in three straight [sets],” said Fritz, who improved to eight consecutive wins, including the title in Eastbourne. “I had the belief. I thought I was playing really good tennis.”

US Open QFs, Fritz d. Zverev 7-6(2), 3-6, 6-4, 7-6(3)

If Fritz was going to reach semi-finals at a major for the first time, having failed in each of the previous four occasions, he was going to have to do it in style. Facing former US Open finalist Zverev, however, Fritz did just that.

With his skillful baseline consistently and tactful approach to the encounter, Fritz sealed a three-hour, 26-minute victory. In a fortnight of breaking new ground, Fritz then went on to defeat countryman Frances Tiafoe in a five-set epic to become the first American man to reach the final of a Grand Slam tournament since Andy Roddick in 2009.

“I feel amazing,” Fritz said after his triumph against Zverev. “I’ve had a lot of looks at quarter-finals in the past couple of years, and today just felt different. I really feel that it was my time to take a step further and it’s only fitting I’m doing it here on this court at the [US] Open in front of this crowd.”

<img alt=”Taylor Fritz” style=”width:100%;” src=”/-/media/images/news/2024/11/27/11/30/fritz-zverev-rivalries-us-open-2024.jpg” />_{^{Taylor Fritz in action at the 2024 US Open. (Photo Credit: Sarah Stier/Getty Images)}}

Laver Cup RR, Fritz d. Zverev 6-4, 7-5

By the time of their next meeting later in September, Fritz had won four of his previous five hard-court matches against Zverev, and the momentum he was now carrying in their Lexus ATP Head2Head rivalry showed no signs of slowing down. Although Fritz prevailed in straight sets, the match was yet another grueling example of their fiercely contested baseline battles.

Claiming his seventh victory over a Top 10 opponent in 2024, Fritz further solidified his reputation as one of the season’s most improved players. Down 2-4 in the second set, Fritz drew on his steady game to wear down Zverev, reeling off five of the last six games to notch his third straight win over the German.

“I think [our] games match up well,” said Fritz, who moved ahead (6-5) in their Lexus ATP Head2Head series for the first time. “I can serve and hang in there with my serve, because he’s very tough to break. You have to have a good serve to stay in the match with him or else he’s just going to serve you out of the match.”

Nitto ATP Finals SFs, Fritz d. Zverev 6-3, 3-6, 7-6(3)
Fritz closed his dominant year against Zverev by snapping the Rolex Paris Masters champion’s eight-match winning streak in the semi-finals in Turin. After a near-flawless opening set from Fritz, during which he won 18 out of 19 first-serve points, Zverev eased into the encounter to force a deciding set.

As had become a pattern in 2024, Fritz held his nerve in the demanding baseline exchanges, saving five all five break points faced in the third set to claim victory in a tie-break. The two-hour, 21-minute triumph was Fritz’s fourth consecutive over Zverev in their intriguing rivalry. 

“I felt like I played an almost perfect first set, but things can change so quickly when you’re playing someone like Sascha,” Fritz said. “I found myself in some tough spots in the third, when we both started to get on each other’s serves even more.”

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Basavareddy qualifies for Next Gen ATP Finals presented by PIF

Nishesh Basavareddy has qualified for the Next Gen ATP Finals presented by PIF, to be held from 18-22 December in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia.

Basavareddy is the seventh player to qualify for the 20-and-under event after an impressive end to the year. The 19-year-old has won two Challenger Tour titles and reached a further two finals at that level since October.

The American, who is at a career-high No. 139 in the PIF ATP Rankings, joins countrymen Alex Michelsen and Learner Tien in Jeddah.

Arthur Fils, Michelsen, Jakub Mensik, Shang Juncheng, Tien and Luca Van Assche have already qualified, with one qualification spot remaining. Buy tickets here to watch the eight upcoming stars live in Jeddah.

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Del Potro opens up on injury 'nightmare' in emotional video

In a profound statement he shared Monday on social media, Juan Martin del Potro went into detail about how he has coped with his injury struggles over the past few years. The 2009 US Open champion spoke openly about the difficulties of his day-to-day life, the limitations imposed by a battle-weary body and a desire as simple as it is valuable: to be able to look forward to a future with some quality of life.

The 36-year-old’s words came almost three years after his last match as a professional. On 9 February 2022, on the clay of the Argentina Open, Del Potro surrendered at the Buenos Aires ATP 250, where he said goodbye to his people. He was not able to advance beyond the first round, winning just four games against his compatriot Federico Delbonis. It was of little bother to someone who was waiting for the torture to end.

“When I played the last match against Delbonis… people didn’t know and I never said anything. The next day I took a plane to Switzerland and I had another operation on my knee. It was my fifth one. From there, I never made my operations public again,” he revealed, speaking in Spanish. “In the press conference before the match with Federico, when I said it would probably be my last match, that’s where I found some peace. It brought an end to something that was always there, that ‘Delpo, when will you play again?’, ‘Will I see you in a tournament again?’ 

“I couldn’t take the pain in my leg anymore. I told myself I needed to do this under the radar, in secret… If it works, I’ll announce that I’m coming back.

“I went to Switzerland, I was there for two months indoors in a village near Basel. They operated on me, I did the rehab and it didn’t work. After two and a half months they said, ‘There’s one thing left, we’re going to operate on you again.’ The sixth time! Afterwards, I went to the USA, I continued with the rehab and I was trying treatments between operations… I must have had over 100 injections in my leg, in my hip, in my back… They injected me, they took stuff out, they analysed me, they burnt my nerves, they blocked my tendons… Suffering that I have every day. And it’s been like that ever since that final day with Federico, not to mention the previous two years since the day of my injury. That match was to say, ‘Ciao, tennis.’ I no longer have any hope of playing again because my body won’t allow it.”

 

 

 

 

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A post shared by Juan Martin del Potro (@delpotrojuan)

It was a constant battle for a player destined to define an era on the ATP Tour, at the mercy of a body that prevented him from finding any consistency. The former No. 3 in the PIF ATP Rankings, plagued by wrist and knee injuries throughout his career, never managed to shake off the burden most feared by any athlete. It would eat away at him as he searched for a solution he would never find.

“When I had my first operation, the doctor said to me, ‘In three months you’ll be able to play again.’ That was in June 2019. I’d signed up to the tournaments in Stockholm, Basel and Paris because the doctor told me to sign up because I’d be ready in time to play. I haven’t been able to climb a stairway pain-free since the first operation. The daily trip I make to Tandil, which is four hours, I have to stop halfway and stretch my legs. It often hurts when I’m sleeping. If I turn onto my side I wake up because I get shooting pains which are really bad. It’s like an endless nightmare. Every day I continue to look for solutions, doctors, alternatives. I still haven’t found anything. It all started with that first operation. Every time I think about it, it really brings up a lot of bad emotions. It makes me feel angry, distressed, powerless… But I can’t change it.”

In that constant state of anguish, Del Potro has chosen to speak out and share his story, seeking help from people who can identify with his situation, perhaps a light at the end of the tunnel that may give him hope.

“I feel like I have to tell you all how I am because it does me good. I’ve always had a connection with the fans and maybe this message will inspire or help other people. As I’ve said, my daily life is not what I want it to be. I was a very active guy, who really liked playing sport, not just tennis. Suddenly, they invite me to play football and I’m the one who just brings the maté [an Argentine infusion] and sits on the sidelines. Or they play padel and I video it. To me this is horrible. Also, on the sporting side, my passion for what I always liked doing, which was playing tennis, has been taken away from me.

“The obstacles that can appear in the road, such as injuries, which are the most difficult thing for an athlete, are one thing, but the emotional pain is another thing altogether. I felt very powerful and strong in terms of facing the obstacles that appeared in my way and that I would always defeat them, within reason. I was strong, but in the end I realise that I’m not sure if I’m that strong. I feel like the knee issue defeated me.”

However, the desire to compete that lives inside him drove him to the farewell from tennis he always would have wanted: on the court, with a great atmosphere and a legendary opponent on the other side of the net. As much as his daily limitations will allow, Del Potro is preparing for a goodbye in keeping with his stature. On Sunday, surrounded by his people in Buenos Aires, he will take on the most decorated player of all time, Novak Djokovic, in a farewell exhibition match.

“I want to be as good as possible for it, as fit as possible,” said Del Potro. “But it’s an event, it’s a show to say goodbye. There’s no going back now.

“I think that Djokovic is the finishing touch, he was very generous in accepting the invitation. For me, apart from being a personal moment for me, I would like to give him a lot of love and from the people. I’d like him to take the best memories of Argentina and his Argentine fans. If, at least for one, two or three short hours, I can have some peace in my leg and enjoy something on a tennis court for the last time it would be amazing. And being able to give you all, along with Novak, a beautiful moment, with love and affection, and for you all to have good memories of that night.”

This story has been translated from ATPTour.com/es.

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