Sinner on losing the world No.1 spot: Let it be, rankings naturally fluctuate

On September 25th Beijing time, Sinner comfortably beat Grand Slam champion Cilic 6-2, 6-2 in straight sets on the Diamond Court, securing a positive opening at this year’s China Open. This four-time Grand Slam champion had won the China Open in 2023 and finished second last year after a close loss to Alcaraz in the final.

This year, Sinner won titles at the Australian Open and Wimbledon, while Alcaraz claimed the French Open and US Open crowns. After losing to Alcaraz in the US Open final, Sinner’s 65-week reign as world No.1 came to an end. At the press conference, Sinner shared his perspective on the pressure of being No.1: “I think about this pressure as part of the season. I just go with the flow. We all have two Grand Slams each, which makes for a good season for us. I’m already very satisfied with this season and feel my results have been strong.”

When asked about the year-end No.1 race, Sinner said: “Both Alcaraz and I have won many titles this year, and I believe it’s well deserved that he is now No.1. The season isn’t over yet; there are still important tournaments like the Shanghai Masters, Paris Masters, Turin Finals, and the Davis Cup. Overall, I’m happy and content with my season because rankings naturally go up and down.”

Over the past two years, Sinner has enjoyed great success during the Chinese season, earning the admiration of many Chinese fans. After yesterday’s match, he expressed: “I’m very happy to be back in China. From day one, many people came to watch my practice sessions. I can feel the passion of Chinese fans and the audience. It’s great to share my energy here and let everyone experience the love for tennis. Everyone loves tennis, so we come here to compete in this warm and loving atmosphere where we can all enjoy playing.”

“I have wonderful memories on the Diamond Court. Every year when I return, I see the China Open growing bigger and tennis developing rapidly in China. Many Chinese male and female players are achieving excellent results, which helps expand tennis’s influence in China. I’m very happy to see these outcomes, as it’s very important for China.”

(Article and editing by Dato, photos by Gao Jun)