Jannik Sinner is closing the gap on world No.1 Novak Djokovic in the ATP rankings, but the Italian appears to be focussing on the clay court season after his Miami Open triumph.

Sinner reached a career-high ranking of No.2 yesterday, after beating Grigor Dimitrov in the Miami final.

As a result, the 22-year-old was asked in his press conference about the prospect of becoming the top ranked player in the world, to which he responded, “Now I am No.2 and I am very happy to get there. I always work to be the best version of myself to get better on the court and possibly also as a person. If one day all this means world No.1, I will be happy.

“Let’s take it step by step. My main objective is Roland Garros, everything will be done with the aim of getting there in the best condition.”

“Yeah, first of all, you don’t have so much time to adapt, because Monaco, I guess we start to practice Thursday the first time. So not even one week to get used to the clay,” explained Sinner.

“There are always some strange results usually in Monaco, so let’s see what’s coming this year. For sure, the main goal is Roland Garros, yes, but trying to work slowly into this tournament and trying to play it in the best possible way. Before I have Rome, for me, especially is a really, really important tournament. You know, playing with the home crowd, it’s always amazing.”

The Australian Open champion added, “And that’s it. No, I’m very relaxed. Look, I have the feeling that I have learned many things from last year what I can do better. Physically I’m in a different shape than I was last year, which the clay is a lot physical. Then we’ll see how it goes.”

1. Djokovic
2. Sinner
3. Alcaraz

Featuring your new World No. 2: @janniksin ???????? pic.twitter.com/k0WpbIb04U

— Tennis TV (@TennisTV) April 1, 2024

Sinner will kick-off his clay court season at the Monte Carlo Masters next week, in the same city where he is actually based and reached the semi-final last year.

Inside the baseline…

Although Jannik Sinner did not admit that the world No.1 is a big target in his mind at the moment, there is no doubt that he will have thought about catching Novak Djokovic. With the way things are going, it is hard to imagine Sinner not becoming world No.1 by the end of the year, but the clay court season will be a big indicator of that, as it has traditionally been the Italian’s weakest surface.

READ NEXT – ATP Rankings (01/04/24): Sinner leapfrogs Alcaraz, Eubanks knocked out of top 40

Jannik Sinner vs Novak Djokovic in the battle for World No.1

With Sinner closing down on the 24-time Grand Slam champion, we at Tennishead wanted to analyse the ranking point situation heading into the clay court season:

Jannik Sinner

Current Ranking Points: 8,710 points (No.2)

Total Points to defend upto and including Roland Garros: 585 points

Maximum Points he can gain upto and including Roland Garros: 5,000 points

Minimum Points he can gain upto and including Roland Garros: 105 points

Maximum Total Ranking Points after Roland Garros: 13,125 points

Minimum Total Ranking Points after Roland Garros: 8,230 points

Novak Djokovic 

Current Ranking Points: 9,725 points (No.1)

Total Points to defend upto and including Roland Garros: 2,315 points

Maximum Points he can gain upto and including Roland Garros: 5,000 points

Minimum Points he can gain upto and including Roland Garros: 105 points

Maximum Total Ranking Points after Roland Garros: 12,410 points

Minimum Total Ranking Points after Roland Garros: 7,515 points

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