The start of the qualifiers, with the usual large presence of Italians dreaming of access to the main draw, gives the unofficial start (the main tournament will start next week) to the 137th edition of the Championships, the richest ever, the first ever for Jannik Sinner as world number one in a Slam tournament.
Yet, despite the ranking, and the recent success on the German grass of Halle, the champion from San Candido is not the favorite of the tournament: according to local bookmakers, Carlos Alcaraz, already winner last year, remains the man to beat, preferred in the predictions to the Italian and Novak Djokovic, who only at the last minute will dispel the doubts about his presence after the knee operation.
ANSA Agency Jannick Sinner wins the Halle tournament against Hurkacz, Musetti loses the Queen’s tournament – Tennis – Ansa.it The world number 1: ‘Wimbledon, I can’t wait’ (ANSA) While waiting to know the seeding that will be assigned to him (the English organizers reserve the right to modify the ranking hierarchies, due to the uniqueness of the surface on which he is played), and consequently the scoreboard that awaits him, Sinner has said to be “eager and confident” to hit the English grass. A surface on which, year after year, he has been able to adapt better and better. This year will be his fourth appearance on the scoreboard, the fifth if we consider the match (lost) in the 2019 qualifiers against the Australian Alex Bolt. Since then, a vertical growth on English grass (9 victories and 3 defeats in his career). Having metabolised the defeat in the first round against Marton Fucsovics, Jannik was one step away from the semi-final two years ago, losing in five to Djokovic after having been ahead by two sets. A goal achieved last year, when the Serbian – winner seven times at the All England Club – still blocked his path. “Let’s see what happens this year – Sinner’s anticipation -. I definitely arrive with more confidence in my game on grass. I can’t wait to get on the pitch.”
ANSA Agency ATP Ranking: Sinner extends his lead, Djokovic returns 2nd – Tennis – Ansa.it Thanks to the success in Halle, the new world number 1 Jannik Sinner increases his advantage over Novak Djokovic, who however returns to number 2 in the ATP rankings. (HANDLE) Thanks to his first triumph on grass, the fourth in a 2024 made magical by the first slam and the rise to the top of the rankings, the 14th title of his career. Achieved without losing a set between the semi-final and final (against his friend and doubles partner Hubert Hurkacz), but after suffering quite a bit in the first three rounds, demonstrating his remarkable ability to adapt. The numbers for Sinner are always record-breaking: with the success in Halle the blue joined the small circle of the greats who managed to win the first tournament played as no.1: in which the names of Borg, Sampras and Djokovic stand out . “The grass in Halle is different from that of Wimbledon, but I have a week to get used to”, Sinner’s commitment before embarking for London. Where Italy’s tennis has never won, but only achieved some sporadic exploits. After the breakthrough of Uberto De Morpurgo, the first Italian among the best eight in 1928, Nicola Pietrangeli came close to reaching the final in 1960. Adriano Panatta also lost in the semifinals in 1979, against the modest American Pat Dupre. Final achieved, and lost (against Djokovic) by Matteo Berrettini, three years ago. Before Jannik’s semi-final last year. The long wait has begun.
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