Jannik Sinner is ranked second in the tennis world rankings for the first time in his career. The 22-year-old from Italy has managed almost everything this year so far.
Jannik Sinner flexed his muscles again in the Miami Dolphins’ NFL stadium and won the Masters there for the first time in his career. In the final, the 22-year-old from Italy defeated Bulgarian Grigor Dimitrov 6:3, 6:1 in just 1:13 hours. For Sinner it was the 22nd victory in the 23rd game of the year – after the triumphs at the Australian Open and in Rotterdam, he has only lost the Indian Wells final against Carlos Alcaraz. Sinner now overtakes the Spaniard in the world rankings and is the first tennis professional from Italy to take second place.
“It was my third time here in the final and I thought to myself that I would be the lucky one this time,” said Sinner. “I’m very pleased to be able to hold the big trophy.” Dimitrow was the clear crowd favorite after his strong two weeks in Florida, and fans celebrated him since his victories as an underdog against Alcaraz in the quarter-finals and against Olympic champion Alexander Zverev in the semi-finals. “I felt like a rock star here,” said the 32-year-old. “Unfortunately, the ten years have made a difference today. It’s clearly Jannik’s week, he’s playing incredible tennis.”
“I’m very proud of how I handled it,” Sinner said. “That was very good. I just stay in the here and now.” For Sinner it is the second career victory at a Masters after the success in Toronto last year.
Sinner overtakes Alcaraz in the world rankings
With the victory, Sinner climbs to second place in the world rankings. In front of him is only the Serb Novak Djokovic, who decided not to take part in the tournament in Miami after the early exit in Indian Wells at the beginning of the month. The Spaniard Carlos Alcaraz slides to third place, Zverev is in fifth place. Thanks to his successes in Miami, Dimitrow climbs to ninth place in the world tennis rankings and is back in the top ten for the first time since 2018.
“That means a lot to me,” said Sinner about second place. “It’s a great feeling and I never thought I’d get to this point. I come from a normal family and my father and mother both still work,” reported the South Tyrolean. For the victory in Miami he will receive 1.1 million US dollars in prize money (around 1.02 million euros).
In the first winner’s interview on the court, Sinner talked about the upcoming clay court season. “That’s usually where I have my problems,” he said. “Let’s see what I can do this year. You don’t have much time. There’s not even a week to get used to the clay court.”