Novak Djokovic shares thoughts on Jannik Sinner’s rise ahead of potential Monte Carlo showdown
Novak Djokovic has admitted that Jannik Sinner has been the “best player in the world this year” as the two look set to face off at the Monte Carlo Masters this week.
With just one loss to his name all season – against fellow young gun Carlos Alcaraz at Indian Wells – Sinner has been in astonishing form throughout 2024.
The Italian claimed his first Grand Slam title at the Australian Open in January and has gone on to win titles in Rotterdam and Miami.
The 22-year-old has now moved up to No 2 in the ATP Rankings, leaping ahead of Alcaraz and significantly closing the gap against Djokovic, after a surge that began towards the end of 2023.
Djokovic won fairly comfortably when the two met in the last four of Wimbledon back in July 2023, but it is the Italian who has had the edge between the two since.
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Sinner won when the two met at the group stage of the ATP Finals and at the Davis Cup the following week, saving three match points on his way to leading Italy to the title.
The Serbian did triumph when the two met in the final at the ATP Finals in Turin, but it was once again Sinner who prevailed in the last four in Melbourne back in January.
The top two seeds in Monte Carlo this week, Djokovic and Sinner are on paper set to contest the final at the prestigious event, the first of three Masters 1000 events this clay court season.
And, speaking ahead of action at the prestigious event, Djokovic conceded that his Italian rival had improved significantly since last summer.
“Jannik is the best player in the world this year so far,” Djokovic said.
“He has had tremendous success. He has improved a lot. Overall his game, his serve, his movement and mentally he is always there.
“In the important matches the difference of Jannik in the past six months and before that is he is winning the big matches. He learned from his experiences before and made himself a tougher player.
“[He’s] more of a big time player.”
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Having won just one title on clay courts previously and with semi-final points to defend from 12 months ago, there is certainly a little pressure on Sinner this week.
However, there is arguably more pressure on Djokovic, with the Serbian languishing outside the top ten of the ATP Race to Turin after a below-par start to the season.
After losing to Alex de Minaur at the United Cup, the 36-year-old was then beaten by Sinner in Melbourne, before a shock defeat to Luca Nardi at Indian Wells.
As two of the top eight seeds in Monte Carlo, Djokovic and Sinner both get a round one bye, meaning they are likely to play their opening matches on Tuesday or Wednesday.
