Novak Djokovic’s unexpected departure from the Italian Open sets the stage for Jannik Sinner, currently ranked No. 2, to ascend to the unofficial world No. 1 position as Roland Garros commences on May 26.
Djokovic, currently holding a slight lead over Sinner, will lose the 2,000 points earned from his victory in last year’s French Open, positioning Sinner to claim the top spot.
Live Rankings Top Three:
- Novak Djokovic: 9,860 points
- Jannik Sinner: 8,770 points
- Carlos Alcaraz: 7,300 points
Even if Djokovic secures a record 25th Grand Slam title at Roland Garros, Sinner could seize the world No. 1 ranking for the first time by reaching the championship match. In the scenario where Djokovic reaches the final but loses, Sinner must advance to at least the semifinals to clinch the top spot.
Djokovic’s recent loss in Rome to Alejandro Tabilo followed an unfortunate incident where he was struck on the head by a water bottle while signing autographs, leading to discomfort and impacting his performance on the court.
Meanwhile, Sinner, at 22, faces a race against time to recover from a hip injury sustained in Madrid. Despite Djokovic’s turbulent season, including early exits in major tournaments, speculation of his decline may be premature as he seeks to reclaim his winning form heading into Roland Garros.
