Jannik Sinner Extends Reign at No. 1, But Carlos Alcaraz Eyes the Throne
Jannik Sinner has officially begun his 37th week as the world No. 1, surpassing his fierce rival Carlos Alcaraz in this particular milestone. However, the Italian star will be sidelined until May 4 after reaching an agreement with WADA for a three-month suspension.
During this period, Sinner will miss six tournaments, including four Masters 1000 events, yet maintaining his top ranking won’t be easy for his challengers. His return is set for the Rome Masters 1000, where he will compete in front of his home crowd.
Alcaraz’s Opportunity to Close the Gap
Currently ranked No. 3, Alcaraz trails Sinner by 3,920 points in the ATP rankings. With Sinner set to lose 1,600 points during his suspension, the Spaniard sees a golden opportunity to close in.
In the next three months, Alcaraz has a maximum of 3,600 points up for grabs. He can earn:
- 500 points if he wins the Doha Open this week.
- Significant points at the Indian Wells and Miami Masters 1000 events.
Notably, Alcaraz missed key tournaments during this stretch last season, including the Monte Carlo Masters, Barcelona Open, and Rome Masters, due to a forearm injury.
First Target: Overtaking Zverev
Before setting his sights on Sinner’s No. 1 ranking, Alcaraz must first surpass Alexander Zverev, the current world No. 2.
- Zverev holds a 725-point lead over Alcaraz.
- With Zverev exiting early in Buenos Aires, Alcaraz’s first major opportunity to overtake him will come at the Miami Open, where he famously won his first Masters 1000 title in 2022.
With Sinner out of action, the race for No. 1 is wide open, and Alcaraz is in prime position to capitalize on this rare opportunity.
