Carlos Alcaraz’s recent triumphs at Roland Garros and Wimbledon have reinvigorated the battle for the top spot in the ATP world ranking. After a strong start to the 2024 season by Jannik Sinner, the Spaniard’s success has narrowed the gap between them. As the season enters its final phase, the competition between Alcaraz and Sinner will intensify to determine who will finish the year as the number one player in the ATP rankings.
The upcoming matches on both outdoor and indoor hard courts will play a crucial role in determining the final rankings. According to the ATP Race, which reflects the current rankings at the end of the year, there is only a 450-point difference between Alcaraz and Sinner. This means that Alcaraz has a chance to surpass Sinner’s position, especially during the ATP Masters 1000 in Cincinnati from August 12 to 19.
Despite his recent successes, Alcaraz will face a challenging schedule, having recently competed in Wimbledon and the Paris Olympic Games, where he reached the final and won a silver medal. With just a week of rest, the world number three has already arrived in Ohio and completed his first training session.
On the other hand, Sinner has already expressed that he will not be in peak condition for the Cincinnati tournament, as he was in Montreal where he reached the quarterfinals. The 22-year-old Italian’s focus is on preparing for the US Open, and he has mentioned that his goal is to arrive in the best possible shape for the Grand Slam event.
There are two possible scenarios in which Carlos Alcaraz can surpass Jannik Sinner in the ATP Race after Cincinnati. If Alcaraz wins the tournament, he would need Sinner to not advance beyond the semifinals in order to overtake him. Alternatively, if there is a head-to-head final between the two players, Sinner would secure his position at the top of the Race with a 100-point lead. If Alcaraz reaches the final but falls short of victory, Sinner would need to be eliminated in the round of 16 for both players to have the same number of points in the ranking.
Photo from Carlos Alcaraz Instagram
