Jannik Sinner has enjoyed a rapid rise in tennis, with the Italian now moving to the number one spot on the ATP Tour.
The 22-year-old has become the first Italian man to achieve the milestone, taking over the position from Novak Djokovic.
The Serbian definitely played a part in the ranking change, having withdrawn from the French Open with a knee injury.
The 37-year-old was involved in back-to-back five-set clashes in France, and received treatment during the second game against Francisco Cerundolo.
Despite coming out on top in both of those tests, the Serb has confirmed he will not continue at the competition.
Boris Becker sends message to Jannik Sinner after world number one confirmation
His withdrawal coincided with Sinner reaching the semi-finals at Roland Garros, with the Italian beating Grigor Dimitrov 6-2, 6-4, 7-6(3) in the quarters.
Sinner has now made it to the very top of the men’s singles rankings, with former world number one among those congratulating the Italian.
“Welcoming to the new club Jannik! #1,” Becker wrote on X. “Congratulations to your team (Darren, Simone, Alex and so many other), ,who made it possible… teamwork makes the dream work!!!”
Can Jannik Sinner continue his superb rise at the French Open?
Sinner has worked incredibly hard in his brief career to make it to the very top, with no other Italian man reaching that milestone.
But the hard work cannot stop now, with the 22-year-old given the unenviable task of taking on fellow superstar Carlos Alcaraz in the next round.
The two will come together on the clay in the semi-finals, with the Spaniard having eased past Stefanos Tsitsipas in their quarter-final meeting.
Alcaraz wasted no time at all in securing his last-four spot in Paris, with the 21-year-old winning 6-3, 7-6(3), 6-4.
Fellow professional Daniil Medvedev namedropped both when asked for a 2024 French Open winner, but tennis legend John McEnroe has reserved his backing for Alexander Zverev.
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