Jannik Sinner's Chase for World No. 1: A Journey Through Clay Courts

The calendar brings Jannik Sinner first to the clay of Madrid and then to that of Rome, with the goal of earning important points for the ATP ranking. The South Tyrolean has indeed returned to world number 2 thanks to the points recovered in the Monte Carlo Masters 1000. The absence of Alcaraz in Barcelona, then, has meant that the Spaniard has moved away from the second spot, but not in such a clear mood. Looking ahead to the upcoming tournaments, Sinner can try to become world number 1, although overtaking Djokovic will not happen soon. When does Sinner play? Time and where to watch the second-round match with Sonego at the ATP of Madrid. Data in hand, Sinner and Djokovic, on the eve of the ATP of Madrid, are separated by 1330 points, not many if you think that 1000 are up for grabs for the Spanish tournament. The Serbian tennis player will not be on the Madrid clay, as already happened last year when he preferred to play in Banja Luka. The thirty-six-year-old will thus remain at 9990 points in the ranking, while Jannik can significantly shorten the distance from his rival. When the overtaking can occur, Sinner's overtaking of Djokovic can occur at the Roland Garros, where last year the Serb lifted the trophy, winning as much as 2500 points. This figure, the highest for an ATP tournament, is allowing the class of 1987 to be at the top of the ranking. In case Nole fails to reach the final act of the tournament and consequently win, then he would leave the necessary points for Sinner to overtake him. The Italian in 2023 was eliminated in the second round putting aside only 45 points, a condition that allows him only to improve. Attention to Alcaraz, Even if the points that divide Sinner and Djokovic are not many, even fewer are those that separate Jannik from Carlos Alcaraz. The Spaniard currently has 8145 points and his absence in Barcelona has created this gap. The talent from El Palmar, however, to maintain this haul must triumph in Madrid (where he won last year) and then repeat a great performance in Rome.