The Italian Jannik Sinner received this Monday, before the game of Turin ATP Finals between Russian Andrey Rublev and German Alexander Zverev, the trophy that accredits him as number one in the ranking at the end of the yeara title he won for the first time in his career.
The one from San Candido was the first Italian to finish the season at the top of the rankings and received all the awards in ‘his’ home, before a dedicated audience that celebrated the presence of one of the greatest exponents of tennis in Sinner.
“What can I say… There is no better place to celebrate this trophy. Turin has always been a very important city for me. Thanks to my people, my team, I am very lucky to have them. This trophy means a lot to me,” he said at the center court of the Inalpi Arena where the tournament is being held.
“It’s a club – the number 1 club – very exclusive. I never thought I would make it herebut the important thing is to surround myself well and I’m very happy with the luck I have,” he added.
Former German tennis player Boris Becker was present at the trophy presentation ceremony, where he became the 29th player to finish the year on top.
The sinner arrived with his assignment in Turin and inherited the trophy that Serbian Novak Djokovic lifted on the same court last year. In June, after Roland Garros, he became the first Italian to become number 1 and since then he has maintained the lead.
Spaniard Carlos Alcaraz achieved this in 2022, a season in which he will not be able to compete in this Masters Cup due to an abdominal injury.
Only the two of them and Scot Andy Murray have snatched the title from the ‘Big Three’ since 2003. Swiss Roger Federer, Spaniard Rafael Nadal and Serbian Novak Djokovic have reigned throughout this century.
This season, Sinner has been the best on the circuit, although his career has been marred by an investigation into a positive clostebol test at Indian Wells. He was initially declared innocent as he was deemed to have accidentally ingested the substance, due to a gloveless massage from his physiotherapist, but WADA has opened an investigation that will deliver a final verdict in a few months.
Sinner won 7 titles, including his first two ‘Grand Slams’, the Australian Open and the United States Open. He accumulated 66 victories, the last in this tournament against Australian Alex de Minaur. In a match against American Taylor Fritz, he will seal his place in the semifinals.
Source: La Verdad
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