The 2024 season of Jannik Sinner is, whatever happens in the upcoming ATP Finals and Davis Cup, something to tip your hat to. The conclusion of the “regular” tournaments leaves the transalpine player as a standout number one in the world rankings, with two Grand Slams under his belt and the feeling that extraordinary things need to be done to defeat him on a tennis court. If we were to pinpoint one quality that San Candido’s player stands out for, it would perhaps be his consistency. His steadiness. His ability to maintain his level week after week.
Over the past two decades, it has been more than common to see this extraterrestrial solidity in the members of the Big Three. In fact, it was that characteristic that set them apart from the rest of mortals: the ability to not let up regardless of any change in scenario, surface, or continent. And the feelings are backed up by data, data that clearly speaks of Jannik Sinner producing numbers that resemble those of the greatest racket wielders in history.
THE INCREDIBLE LIST THAT JANNIK JOINS
Because in this 2024, Sinner will join a list that only features three names… those of Novak Djokovic, Rafael Nadal, and Roger Federer. No one in 34 years has stood shoulder to shoulder with them in terms of consistency… until Sinner’s dazzling appearance this season. Thus, the Italian has become the fourth player since the creation of the ATP Tour in 1990 capable of reaching the quarterfinals in all tournaments he has played. The company he finds himself in on this list? Just look at the data and contemplate the magnitude of this feat.
PLAYERS WHO REACHED THE QUARTERFINALS IN ALL TOURNAMENTS PLAYED IN A CALENDAR YEAR
2005 – Roger Federer (14 of 14): Champion in Doha, Rotterdam, Dubai, Indian Wells, Miami, Hamburg, Halle, Wimbledon, Cincinnati, US Open, and Bangkok; semifinalist in the Australian Open and Roland Garros, quarterfinalist in Monte Carlo.
2011 – Novak Djokovic (14 of 14): Champion in the Australian Open, Dubai, Indian Wells, Miami, Belgrade, Madrid, Rome, Wimbledon, Canada, and US Open; finalist in Cincinnati; semifinalist in Roland Garros and Basel, quarterfinalist in Paris-Bercy.
2015 – Novak Djokovic (15 of 15): Champion in the Australian Open, Indian Wells, Miami, Monte Carlo, Rome, Wimbledon, US Open, Beijing, Shanghai, and Paris-Bercy; finalist in Dubai, Roland Garros, Canada, and Cincinnati, quarterfinalist in Doha.
2018 – Rafael Nadal (9 of 9): Champion in Monte Carlo, Barcelona, Rome, Roland Garros, and Canada; semifinalist in Wimbledon and US Open, quarterfinalist in the Australian Open and Madrid.
2024 – Jannik Sinner (14 of 14): Champion in the Australian Open, Rotterdam, Miami, Halle, Cincinnati, US Open, and Shanghai; finalist in Beijing; semifinalist in Indian Wells, Monte Carlo, and Roland Garros, quarterfinalist in Madrid, Wimbledon, and Canada.
The burning question on the public’s mind is whether Jannik Sinner is truly ready to continue this progression. The levels of concentration he commands, knowing also the storm surrounding his off-court persona, could lead him toward historical levels of consistency and steadiness. There’s no doubt that the shadows of the three legends still loom large, and that a single season does not make a legend, but it would be undeniable to deny that Jannik is giving his all to write a golden page in the history books of this sport… and raising the bar for all who seek to stop him.
