ATP Finals: Jannik Sinner Favorite After a Stellar Yet Controversial Season
Jannik Sinner is set to conclude an eventful season as he returns to Italy, favored to win his first ATP Finals title in Turin. The 23-year-old Italian has had an outstanding year, securing victories at both the Australian and US Opens, alongside five additional ATP titles.
After losing last year’s final to Novak Djokovic, Sinner has risen to become world No. 1 and a national hero, marking a significant achievement as the first Italian to top the men’s world rankings and ending a 48-year drought for Italian men’s Grand Slam titles. He finished the “Race To Turin” with over 10,330 points, more than 3,000 points ahead of his closest rival, Alexander Zverev.
However, Sinner’s season has not been without controversy. After testing positive for traces of the steroid clostebol in March, he was initially cleared by the International Tennis Integrity Agency in August. But the World Anti-Doping Agency has since appealed, seeking a potential two-year ban. Sinner has denied any wrongdoing and remains optimistic about the situation.
Fans are eager to see Sinner’s rivalry with Carlos Alcaraz, another two-time Slam winner this year. Sinner noted, “It’s difficult to talk about a rivalry when you’re so young. We’re two players who like to do battle.”
With Djokovic’s withdrawal from the Finals due to injury, this marks the first time since 2001 that tennis’ “big four” will not be represented. Djokovic ends the season without an ATP title for the first time in 18 years, although he did win gold at the Paris Olympics.
As Sinner prepares to face Alex de Minaur in his opening match, the competition remains fierce, with Alcaraz also vying for his first Finals crown. Fans hope for a thrilling clash between the two emerging stars in the knockout stages, having been drawn in separate groups.
