Jannik Sinner has conceded that his quest to end the season as world No. 1 is over, but says reclaiming the top spot from Carlos Alcaraz will be his main goal in 2026.
The Italian, who held the No. 1 ranking
for 65 weeks before losing it to Alcaraz following their US Open final clash, admitted ahead of the Paris Masters that overtaking the Spaniard this year is “impossible.”
“It’s impossible (to finish the year at No. 1). Honestly, I’m not thinking about this at the moment. It’s going to be a goal for next year,” Sinner told reporters ahead of his opening match at the Paris Masters.
Though the 24-year-old trails Alcaraz by fewer than 1,000 points, the math and the schedule are not in his favour.
Even a Paris title may not be enough, as Sinner will have to defend 1,500 points at the ATP Finals in Turin, which he won last year, while Alcaraz has far fewer to protect.
“This year, it’s not in my hands,” Sinner added.
Sinner arrives in Paris fresh from winning the Vienna Open, though fatigue and minor injuries have tested him in recent weeks.
He was forced to retire in Shanghai with cramps and later battled thigh discomfort in Austria.
“It was not the same issue at all (in Vienna),” Sinner revealed.
“I feel like (it) was normal. You know, I played five days in a row. The final was very physical. It can happen.”
The four-time Grand Slam champion said he was “not worried physically” ahead of his opening match in Paris on Wednesday against Belgium’s Zizou Bergs.
“The body feels good now. A bit tired, of course, playing five matches in a row and coming here is not much time to recover,” he said.
“But I’m happy with how I’m feeling. I recover every day better.”
(with AFP inputs)
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