How Jannik Sinner can emulate Novak Djokovic and Andy Murray with feat that eluded Carlos Alcaraz, Rafael Nadal
Jannik Sinner has become the seventh world No 1 in the last two decades, but how did the previous six perform in their first tournament after hitting top spot in the ATP Rankings for the first time?
The 22-year-old became the first Italian to be crowned world No 1 with his ascend to the top confirmed on the back of his run to the semi-final of the French Open.
Sinner has enjoyed a fine season as he is 33-3 having won his maiden Grand Slam at the Australian Open as well as titles at the Rotterdam Open and the Miami Open.
His first tournament as world No 1 will be at the Halle Open and, naturally, he will be the top seed.
Sinner is looking to become the first world No 1 since Andy Murray to win their first tournament after hitting the top spot in the ATP Rankings. To be fair, there haven’t been too many No 1s since then.
Last six world No 1s and how they fared in first tournament after hitting top spot:
Roger Federer
It was the year 2004 two decades ago and Roger Federer became world No 1 for the first time on February 2, 2004 after winning his first Australian Open title.
The Swiss Maestro’s next tournament was the Rotterdam Open, but Tim Henman denied him the chance of winning the event as the British player won their quarter-final clash in two sets.
Federer, though, did win the tournament after Rotterdam as he defeated Feliciano Lopez in the Dubai Tennis Championship final.
Rafael Nadal
After four years at No 1, Roger Federer’s reign was ended by Rafael Nadal on August 18, 2008 with the Spaniard reaching top spot after winning gold at the 2008 Beijing Games.
Nadal’s next tournament was the US Open, but he lost in the semi-final against Andy Murray.
The Spaniard had to wait until February 2009 for next his title, but it was a big one as he beat Federer in the final of the Australian Open.
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Novak Djokovic
Novak Djokovic is one of only two players in the last 20 years to win their next tournament.
The Serbian defeated Nadal in the 2011 Wimbledon final and with it came the world No 1 ranking on July 4.
His next event was the Canadian Open and he went all the way as he beat Mardy Fish in the final. He then lost in the Cincinnati Open final against Murray before beating Nadal in the US Open final.
Andy Murray
Andy Murray is the most recent world No 1 to win the tournament after taking over at the top.
The three-time Grand Slam winner enjoyed one of the most amazing ends to a season in 2016 as he won titles in Beijing, Shanghai and Vienna to put himself within a shot of becoming world No 1.
He then won the Paris Masters – beating Isner in the final – to become world No 1 for the first time on November 7, 2016.
His next tournament was the ATP Finals and was won the season-ending event – defeating Djokovic in the final – to also finish as the year-end No 1.
Daniil Medvedev
After Murray’s crowning moment in 2016, men’s tennis had to wait just over five years before a new player rose to top spot in the ATP Rankings.
Step forward Daniil Medvedev with the Russian taking over from Djokovic on February 28, 2022 on the back of finishing runner-up at the Australian Open and reaching the semi-final in Acapulco.
Medvedev’s next event was the Indian Wells Open, but he lost in the third round against Gael Monfils. He had to wait until August to win another title as he lifted the Los Cabos trophy.
Carlos Alcaraz
Carlos Alcaraz was the 28th world No 1 and he topped the rankings for the first time on September 12, 2022 as he became the youngest world No 1 following his US Open title run.
After a couple of Davis Cup matches for Spain, Alcaraz returned to action at the Astana Open but he lost in the round of 32 against David Goffin.
He then lost in the semi-final in Basel and the quarter-final of the Paris Masters before injury forced an early end to his season as he missed the ATP Finals and the Australian Open the following January.
Alcaraz’s next title came at the Argentina Open in February 2023.
