The world number one has been dominant in 2025, as he continues to pick up titles on the ATP Tour.
At Wimbledon, Jannik Sinner defeated Carlos Alcaraz in the final to win his fourth Grand Slam title, and his second of 2025.
Choosing to rest up after the tournament, Sinner withdrew from the Canadian Open, as he prepares to return to tennis in Ohio for the Cincinnati Open.
He’ll do so as the number one seed and defending champion, having beaten America’s Frances Tiafoe in the 2024 final.
However, just days before he returns to action, Sinner has been warned to ‘watch his back’ by his fellow Italian.
Paolo Bertolucci warns Jannik Sinner to ‘watch his back’ with Carlos Alcaraz chasing him
Writing for La Gazetta dello Sport, 1976 Davis Cup winner Paolo Bertolucci shared his thoughts on Sinner’s return.
“Now in Cincinnati, Jannik [Sinner] will need to immediately deliver a high-level performance to consolidate the points he’s gained or make up for those he’ll lose,” he said.
“He’ll have to watch his back from the Spaniard [Carlos Alcaraz], now his only real rival for the world number one spot.
“The Spaniard has followed the same path as Sinner and will also restart on the scorching American hard courts of Cincinnati, but unlike the Italian, despite being behind in the rankings, he will have very few points to defend in this final stretch of the 2025 season.
“Only two men in command, two players with very different technical and behavioral characteristics, but both aware of the respective strengths of their main opponent.”
Sinner currently leads Alcaraz by 3,430 points in the world rankings, although Bertolucci is right to note that the Italian has a lot to lose over the coming months.
| Rank | Name | Age | Nationality | Points |
| 1 | Jannik Sinner | 23 | Italian | 12,030 |
| 2 | Carlos Alcaraz | 22 | Spanish | 8,600 |
| 3 | Alexander Zverev | 28 | German | 6,030 |
| 4 | Taylor Fritz | 27 | American | 5,135 |
| 5 | Jack Draper | 23 | British | 4,650 |
| 6 | Novak Djokovic | 38 | Serbian | 4,130 |
| 7 | Ben Shelton | 22 | American | 3,520 |
| 8 | Alex de Minaur | 26 | Australian | 3,335 |
| 9 | Holger Rune | 22 | Danish | 3,250 |
| 10 | Lorenzo Musetti | 23 | Italian | 3,195 |
Between now and the end of the 2025 season, Sinner must defend over 5,000 points, whereas Alcaraz defends just over 1,000 points.
Jannik Sinner’s points to defend in 2025
- Cincinnati Open – 1,000 points
- US Open – 2,000 points
- China Open – 330 points
- Shanghai Masters – 1,000 points
- ATP Finals – 1,500 points
- Total – 5,830 points
Carlos Alcaraz’s points to defend in 2025
- Cincinnati Open – 10 points
- US Open – 50 points
- China Open – 500 points
- Shanghai Masters – 200 points
- Paris Masters – 50 points
- ATP Finals – 200 points
- Total – 1,010 points
The pressure will certainly be on Sinner to defend those points, as he looks to finish as year-end number one for the second time in his career.
Year-end number ones on the ATP Tour
Finishing the year as the best player in the world is a remarkable achievement, and one that just 19 players have accomplished since the rankings were introduced in 1973.
Serbia’s Novak Djokovic holds the record for the most year-end number one finishes with eight, while Alcaraz and Sinner sit on one each.
| Rank | Name | Year-end #1 finishes | Years |
| 1 | Novak Djokovic | 8 | 2011, 2012, 2014, 2015, 2018, 2020, 2021, 2023 |
| 2 | Pete Sampras | 6 | 1993, 1994, 1995, 1996, 1997, 1998 |
| T-3 | Rafael Nadal | 5 | 2008, 2010, 2013, 2017, 2019 |
| T-3 | Roger Federer | 5 | 2004, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009 |
| T-3 | Jimmy Connors | 5 | 1974, 1975, 1976, 1978, 1978 |
| T-6 | Ivan Lendl | 4 | 1985, 1986, 1987, 1989 |
| T-6 | John McEnroe | 4 | 1981, 1982, 1983, 1984 |
| T-8 | Lleyton Hewitt | 2 | 2001, 2002 |
| T-8 | Stefan Edberg | 2 | 1990, 1991 |
| T-8 | Bjorn Borg | 2 | 1979, 1980 |
| T-11 | Jannik Sinner | 1 | 2024 |
| T-11 | Carlos Alcaraz | 1 | 2022 |
| T-11 | Andy Murray | 1 | 2016 |
| T-11 | Andy Roddick | 1 | 2003 |
| T-11 | Gustavo Kuerten | 1 | 2000 |
| T-11 | Andre Agassi | 1 | 1999 |
| T-11 | Jim Courier | 1 | 1992 |
| T-11 | Mats Wilander | 1 | 1988 |
| T-11 | Ilie Nastase | 1 | 1973 |
It remains to be seen who will finish top of the pile this time around, as it’s almost too close to call.
Sinner may have more to defend between now and the end of the season, but that is, of course, thanks to his excellent performances on hard courts in 2024.
If the Italian can rediscover that form over the coming months, then there’s a strong chance we will see Sinner finish the year as the world number one for the second year in a row.
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