Jannik Sinner admits 'dream is to become world No. 1' in ATP world rankings after Australian Open triumph

Published 11/02/2024 at 21:15 GMT

While his Rotterdam Open first-round meeting with Botic van de Zandschulp remains very much top of his mind, Australian Open champion Jannik Sinner admits that he is also thinking about the opportunity to reach the summit of the world rankings for the first time. In 2023, Sinner fell just one set short of the title in Rotterdam, eventually losing the final to Daniil Medvedev.

'My dream is to become No. 1 in the world' - Sinner eyeing top-ranked status

Jannik Sinner has already achieved one of his dreams in 2024, claiming a maiden Grand Slam title in Melbourne in January, but he admits that there is another goal in mind.

Currently world No. 4 following his Australian Open victory, Sinner knows that he is not far from the summit of the men's game and won’t deny that it is something he wants.

Speaking to the ATP before his Rotterdam Open campaign gets underway on Tuesday, Sinner said: "Let's see. I don't like to talk about ranking. I just try to be happy on court and improve as a player right?

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"That's the only thing I can control. And then the rest you cannot control the uncontrollable. So I'm happy that I'm [ranked] four at the moment. For sure, my dream is to become number one in the world, and I will work as hard as possible."

Already the highest ranking men's singles player in Italian tennis history - only 1976 French Open champion Adriano Panatta can match his current No. 4 position - Sinner is aiming to make more history.

If Sinner is to continue his rapid rise up the ATP rankings, he will need to shake off the distractions that come with his success.

He has yet to have the opportunity to visit his family since his triumph in Australia, something he admits is unusual.

"Yeah, it was strange for me... I haven't seen my family yet. I'm going to see them after this tournament, I'm going to my parents place maybe after here," he said.

"We call each other and there are some journalists outside the house of my parents place. So, yeah, it has changed a little bit for sure. But in the other way, I'm still the same the same person as I was before Australia and even my parents, they are the same. They still go to work like usual days. So it's all good."

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Botic van de Zandschulp is Sinner's first round opponent in Rotterdam and the Italian will be seeking to go one better than he did in 2023. Last year, Sinner was just one set from victory in the Rotterdam final, before being overcome by Russia's Daniil Medvedev, who he famously fought back from two sets down to beat in the Melbourne final.

Sinner earned 300 rankings points in Rotterdam last year, meaning that only a title this time around will result in a net positive for his points total and push him closer to world No. 1.

Having begun his Australian Open run with a first round win over Van de Zandschulp, Sinner will be hoping for similar success in Rotterdam.