Jannik Sinner, the world’s top-ranked tennis player, added another accolade to his incredible 2024 season, defeating Novak Djokovic in straight sets, 7-6 (7-4), 6-3, to win the Shanghai Masters on Sunday. The victory marks Sinner’s seventh title of the year and solidifies his position at the pinnacle of the sport, while denying Djokovic his 100th career singles title.
The 23-year-old Italian displayed remarkable poise and precision to overcome the 24-time Grand Slam champion, showcasing the form that has made him a dominant force on the ATP Tour this year. The match was their fifth encounter, and once again, Sinner managed to outclass his Serbian opponent, particularly in crucial moments, much to the delight of an impassioned crowd that included tennis legends Roger Federer and Carlos Alcaraz watching from the stands.
“It was a very special day,” Sinner said after the match, reflecting on his latest triumph. He acknowledged Djokovic’s legendary status, saying, “He’s a legend of our sport, very tough to play against, so I am very happy.” In his victory speech, Sinner also remarked about Federer’s presence, saying, “There are legends everywhere, I just try to keep up a little bit.”
A Battle of Serves and Precision
The first set saw both players hold serve throughout, with neither able to gain an advantage. Djokovic, at 37 years old, remains a formidable competitor, and despite the pressure, Sinner found himself unable to break Djokovic’s serve early on. However, the tie-break was where Sinner truly seized control. A critical error from Djokovic—a backhand volley that went awry—proved to be a pivotal moment, giving Sinner a 5-1 lead in the breaker. Though Djokovic tried to fight back, Sinner converted his second set point, winning the tie-break 7-4, and continuing his brilliant tie-break record throughout the 2024 season.
The second set saw a similarly high level of competition, but the decisive moment came in the fourth game. Sinner capitalized on a break point at 40-15, unleashing a powerful forehand down the line that Djokovic couldn’t reach. From there, the Italian never looked back. His serving was impeccable throughout the match, with Djokovic unable to generate a single break point in either set—an astonishing statistic against a player of Djokovic’s caliber.
Sinner sealed the victory with an ace, finishing the match in one hour and 37 minutes to claim the Shanghai Masters title, his 65th win of the season. The Italian has now won two Grand Slam titles, along with three ATP Masters 1000 titles this year, becoming the first man since Andy Murray in 2016 to win more than six titles in a single season.
Djokovic Acknowledges Sinner’s Brilliance
Despite the loss, Djokovic remained gracious in defeat, praising Sinner’s performance. “Obviously, congratulations to Jannik, he was just too good today, too strong, too fast,” said Djokovic, who has had great success in Shanghai, having won the tournament four times previously. “Well done for having an incredible year, you deserve this,” he added.
Djokovic, who has not played in China for five years, reflected on his return to the region and his love for the Shanghai Masters. “I’ve had lots of success on Chinese soil in my career, and I missed it. I’m really glad that I came back this year,” he said. Djokovic also took the opportunity to acknowledge Federer, joking, “I’m not used to seeing you in the stands, I wish you were on the court playing with us. It’s probably the first time that I’m playing in front of you, so I had an added pressure today but it’s great, thanks for being here, and Carlos as well.”
The Serbian star, now the last active member of the “Big Three” after Rafael Nadal’s recent retirement, has enjoyed a successful career resurgence despite his age. Yet, his quest for a 100th career title remains unfinished. However, Djokovic was quick to emphasize that reaching that milestone is not his primary focus. “It’s not a live-or-die type of goal,” he said. “I’ll keep trying.”
A Season to Remember for Sinner
Sinner’s victory caps off what has been a remarkable season for the young Italian, who has cemented himself as the new dominant force in men’s tennis. Alongside his victories on the court, Sinner has had to contend with off-court challenges as well. Earlier this year, he was twice found to have tested positive for a banned substance, though an independent tribunal cleared him of any wrongdoing after determining that the substance had entered his system unintentionally. Despite this, the World Anti-Doping Agency (WADA) has appealed the decision, leaving some uncertainty over Sinner’s future.
Reflecting on these challenges, Sinner admitted that the controversy had taken a toll on him emotionally. “This year has been very, very tough for me… at points I lost a little bit of smile,” he said. “It’s not easy to play in these kinds of circumstances, but I feel strong when I go on the court and try not to think about it.”
Despite these difficulties, Sinner has continued to elevate his game, displaying an impressive combination of physical endurance and mental fortitude. He has not faced a single break point in two consecutive matches against Djokovic, a feat that speaks to his remarkable serving ability and focus under pressure. When asked what had changed in his game, Sinner highlighted his improved physical and mental toughness. “I feel that physically I’m ready to play for a longer amount of time at the highest level… mentally, I’m ready to accept every tough situation on the court.”
With his Shanghai Masters win, Sinner has now established himself as the man to beat heading into the ATP Finals. His ability to navigate both on-court challenges and off-court distractions has set him apart as one of the most resilient players on the tour.
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