Jannik Sinner and Carlos Alcaraz are creating history seemingly with each passing week.
This time, at Indian Wells, it was the Italian’s turn to steal the spotlight after his great rival had hogged it for the opening three months of the year.
Going 16 matches unbeaten was a remarkable feat, but in the end, Daniil Medvedev ended his streak before losing to Jannik Sinner in the final.
In winning the title, the 24-year-old has now actually surpassed both Roger Federer and Novak Djokovic in a key area to cement his latest legendary feat.
Jannik Sinner becomes youngest-ever to compete legendary feat
Having already become the first player in history to win consecutive Masters 1000 events without dropping a set, Sinner actually has another accolade to celebrate alongside his Indian Wells title.
And, this one is particularly special, earning this triumphant achievement, which no other player in tennis history can match.
Will Jannik Sinner complete the Career Grand Slam at Roland Garros this year? 🤔
If not, who do you think will win Roland Garros?
The former world number one is now the youngest-ever player to have won all Masters 1000 hard-court events, with this event in the California desert representing the last one he needed.
He won his maiden Masters 1000 title in Canada, on a hard court, in 2023.
Sinner then captured the bulk of the rest he needed the following year, winning events in Miami, Cincinnati and Shanghai in 2024.
He then captured the Paris Masters title late last year and completed the set here in Indian Wells this weekend.
Jannik Sinner’s record at hard-court Masters 1000 events compared to Novak Djokovic’s
Sinner is widely regarded as the best hard-court player in the world at the moment, but once upon a time, that crown belonged to Novak Djokovic.
In fact, across his glittering career, many see the Serbian as the best ever to play on this particular surface.
But how does Sinner match up with the 24-time Grand Slam champion at Masters 1000 events on the hard courts?
Well, having now competed in 25 events at this level and on this surface, his record of six titles is an impressive one. This represents a 24% conversion rate, made even more impressive given he has reached at least the quarter-finals in 13 of those 25 appearances.
Naturally, Djokovic has played many, many more, actually appearing in a jaw-dropping 127 hard-court Masters 1000 events.
Who would win this legendary showdown?
What is even more impressive is the fact that he managed to win 29 titles, representing a 23% title-winning rate.
This is narrowly less than Sinner’s, but spread across so many more appearances.
To truly be recognised as a better hard-court player than Djokovic, Sinner will need to maintain his current level for another decade and more.
