From Tennis Now | @Tennis_Now | Tuesday, December 10, 2024
Photo: Corleve/Mark Peterson
Jannik the Sinner tennis ball and fan favoritism.
The world No. 1 has been voted by fans as the ATP Awards’ favorite singles player for the second consecutive year.
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The fans’ seal of approval caps a stellar season that saw Sinner capture eight major tour titles, including the Australian Open, US Open and ATP Finals.
In a US Open final rematch, world No. 1 Sinner fired 14 aces in a 6-4, 6-4 triumph over Taylor Fritz to become the first man since then Ivan Lendl in 1986 to capture the season-ending ATP Finals without dropping a set. Sinner thrilled the home fans in Turin by becoming the first Italian to win the ATP Finals singles crown.
“I just want to thank all the fans around the world who voted for me,” Sinner said. “It means a lot to me because the votes come from all of you.
“You are the reason I want to play tennis. The support has been amazing this whole season.”
The 23-year-old Sinner finished 2024 with a 73-6 record with three of his six losses coming against third-ranked opponents. Carlos Alcarazwho defeated the hard-hitting Italian in the Indian Wells semi-finals, the Roland Garros semi-finals and the Beijing final.
Sinner made his mark as the first Italian to finish as no. 1 of the year and the first since Guillermo Vilas in 1977 to win his first two Grand Slam titles in the same season. Sinner also led Italy to a successful defense of their Davis Cup championship, the first time Italy has successfully defended the Davis Cup.
The owner of 18 career titles, Sinner is the 19th man to earn the status of no. 1 in the world at the end of the year. Sinner’s repeat as Fan Favorite comes a year after he won Most Improved Player and Fan Favorite at the 2023 ATP Awards.
