Jannik Sinner’s remarkable 2024 season reached new heights with his latest victory on the hard courts of Shanghai, where he secured his seventh title of the year. The 23-year-old Italian tennis star, now the world’s No. 1, has experienced a meteoric rise over the past 12 months, solidifying his position as one of the sport’s brightest talents. His dominance this season includes two Grand Slam titles, three Masters 1000 trophies (Miami, Cincinnati, and Shanghai), and two ATP 500 victories, marking a significant breakthrough in his young career.
Despite fierce competition from his rival, Carlos Alcaraz, Sinner has managed to stay on top of the ATP rankings. While Alcaraz has also had an impressive year, winning two Grand Slam titles and beating Sinner three times in 2024, the Italian’s unmatched consistency across the season has given him a commanding lead over his Spanish counterpart. With just six tournaments remaining, Sinner is already assured of finishing the year as the world’s top-ranked player.
Sinner’s latest triumph in Shanghai came after a grueling run in which he dropped just one set. In the final, he faced 24-time Grand Slam champion Novak Djokovic, whom he has now beaten three times in a row. The first set was a tightly contested battle, with Sinner edging out Djokovic in a tiebreak. From there, the Italian controlled the match, further enhancing his growing reputation as the new dominant force on hard courts.
Following his victory in China, Sinner will next head to Saudi Arabia for the lucrative ‘Six Kings Slam’ event, which boasts an eye-watering prize pool. His winnings from the Shanghai Masters 1000 alone totaled around one million euros, bringing his total earnings for 2024 to over 10 million euros. Over the course of his career, Sinner has earned approximately 25.6 million euros, with both his prize money and endorsement deals continuing to rise as his star shines brighter.
However, Sinner’s exceptional on-court performances have been overshadowed by a doping controversy involving Clostebol, a banned substance. Although he was initially acquitted of any wrongdoing, the case has reopened after WADA (World Anti-Doping Agency) decided to appeal the decision. Despite his success, Sinner has admitted that the doping case has taken a significant emotional toll on him throughout the season.
Speaking about the situation during a press conference, Sinner revealed the personal struggles he’s faced: “It has been a very, very difficult year for me due to the extremely complicated circumstances I have had to experience. I have lost my smile for many parts of the season because of everything that is happening, and it’s not easy to compete like this.”
Despite the weight of the controversy hanging over him, Sinner remains focused on his game, determined to maintain his composure on the court. “Maybe people think that winning tournaments is not affecting me with these problems, but I am not in a comfortable situation. I wish I could play with more freedom and enjoy much more on the court. I have no choice but to accept it; I try to stay focused and not think about any of that when I’m on the court,” he added.
Throughout it all, Sinner has remained grounded, proud of the team around him, and focused on staying true to himself. “What I’m sure of is that success will not change me as a person. I know who I can trust, and I am proud to have them,” Sinner emphasized, signaling his commitment to handling these challenges with grace and integrity.
As 2024 nears its end, Sinner’s journey is one of both extraordinary triumph and personal resilience. With his outstanding achievements on the court and the determination to overcome adversity, the young Italian has firmly cemented himself as the new king of hard courts and a player whose legacy is just beginning to unfold.
