Carlos Alcaraz-Jannik Sinner equal Roger Federer and Andy Roddick's two decade-old record

Jannik Sinner and Carlos Alcaraz have faced each other nine times on the tour, with the Spaniard leading 5-4.

Jannik Sinner and Carlos Alcaraz have become the first pair of 22-and-under players to hold the top two spots in the ATP Rankings since Roger Federer and Andy Roddick in August 2004.

Year 2024 has been a breakthrough season for Jannik Sinner. The Italian defeat ended Novak Djokovic’s 33-match unbeaten streak in the semifinals of the 2024 Australian Open. He later stunned Russia’s Daniil Medvedev with a comeback victory to win his first Grand Slam title.

He also won the Miami Open and ATP Rotterdam. Sinner also reached the semifinals of the Indian Wells and the Monte Carlo Masters. However, he had to withdraw from the quarterfinals of the 2024 Madrid Open, where he was going to face Canada’s Felix Augur Aliassime.

The Italian tennis star withdrew due to a hip injury, and his team insisted that they’re preventing the issue from becoming a chronic problem. Sinner also missed the Italian Open to solidify his chances at the French Open, where he was eliminated by arch-rival Carlos Alcaraz in the last four.

Meanwhile, Carlos Alcaraz has also found his form by winning the 2024 French Open. With the title triumph, he has become the youngest player in tennis history to complete a surface slam. He broke countryman Rafael Nadal’s record to reach the milestone.

However, the 2023 French Open champion Novak Djokovic had to withdraw from the tournament due to a knee injury. Djokovic revealed that he was suffering from minor knee issues, and the problem flared when he slipped during the second set against Argentina’s Francisco Cerundolo in the fourth round.

Also Read: Confirmed: Rafael Nadal will play doubles alongside Carlos Alcaraz at 2024 Paris Olympics

It was later revealed that Djokovic had suffered a meniscus tear in his right knee. The Serb decided that he’d go through a surgical procedure in Paris for the knee injury. His surgery was successful, and he has arrived in Belgrade. However, he’s expected to miss at least three weeks of action.

With the withdrawal, Novak Djokovic lost 1600 ATP ranking points. With that, Jannik Sinner moved to the top spot, and Carlos Alcaraz became the new World No. 2. Interestingly, Sinner also became the first Italian to become World No. 1.

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