Jannik Sinner is the new champion in Shanghai, taking the title in a showpiece final against Novak Djokovic.
A hotly-anticipated affair, it marked the latest meeting of these two superstars, young and old.
And, whilst the 37-year-old started strong, even his flawless first set wasn’t enough to overcome Sinner’s stupendous tennis.
What makes the Italian’s efforts even more impressive is how he continues to operate in such a cutthroat fashion, despite WADA pushing to see Sinner banned after his positive drugs test.
Jannik Sinner reacts to dealing with controversy after Shanghai Masters title
Speaking to the press after his latest title triumph, in which he claimed his seventh title of the year, it did not take long for attention to turn back to his controversies.
After all, the Italian remains embroiled in a scandal following his positive drugs test, which WADA are seeking to get him banned for.
Asked how he compartmentalises such turmoil to continue shining, he replied: ‘You know, people, they think that by winning or having success that you don’t have any problems, but it’s not true, you know, because I’m in the situation where I’m in, obviously, it’s not comfortable, and I wish I would not be in this position where I am right now off the court, and playing freely more on the court, and trying even to enjoy it a little bit more.
‘But, you know, you have to accept it. I feel like that I’m strong when I go on the court, trying to not think about it, and trying to stay focused about everything I do, and I give a hundred percent in every single match or practice, or when I wake up I try to be focused on every single thing I do.
‘But then, of course, I have moments where I think about it, which is not comfortable, and not the best part. So, yeah, you take the success in a different way, and I think that’s what I learned is that the success will never change me as a person, or as a player also because, you know, next tournament I can go far again, or I could lose the first round, but it’s not going to change me as a person, as a human.
‘So, I’m very glad to all the people that I have around, and they know me very, very good, and know how I am, and I know who the people that I can trust to, and that for me is the most important. Whatever I can achieve on the court, it’s just an extra, it’s that what I work for.’
Jannik Sinner continues dominant run over Novak Djokovic
With his win earlier today, Jannik Sinner has extended his winning run over Novak Djokovic, the man who previously dominated tennis in 2023.
Winning three of the four Grand Slams, and losing the final of the one he didn’t win, it was an unparalleled campaign of dominance that has seldom been seen before.
However, Sinner sought to change that as they entered the Asian swing of the year.
Kickstarting the run of form that has seen him become the new world number one in 2024, Sinner would beat Djokovic in the Round Robin of the ATP Finals before eventually losing to him in the grand finale.
However, he wasn’t content with just that sole victory, having since won their last three meetings, first in the Davis Cup finals, then in the Australian Open semi-final back in January, before today’s triumph too.
A remarkable record against a world-class contender.
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