Jannik Sinner to become youngest ATP Finals competitor in over a decade

With the unfortunate withdrawal of fellow Italian Matteo Berrettini, 20-year-old Jannik Sinner will make history with his ATP Finals debut.

Berrettini suffered a heartbreaking injury in his first match against Alexander Zverev, and has since announced the end of his 2021 ATP Finals journey.

World number 11 Sinner is the first alternate at the event, and so will replace his compatriot in the next group match against Hubert Hurkacz.

With his involvement, Sinner becomes the youngest man to play the event since Juan Martin del Potro in 2008.

The Argentine was also 20 when he first competed at the event. One other 20-year-old has played the event since 2008. That was Alexander Zverev in 2017.

But was born in April of his birth year, while Sinner was born in August.

The Italian entered the tennis mainstream by winning the Next Gen ATP Finals, the equivalent event for players 21-and-under, in 2019 as an 18-year-old.

He qualified first for that event again this year, but opted to travel to Turin as an alternate instead.

That decision has now paid off, as he will play at least two matches at the ATP Finals by replacing Berrettini in the Red Group.

In facing Hurkacz, his first match will be a repeat of the Miami Masters final back in March. The Pole won that day for his maiden Masters 1000 title.

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