Jannik Sinner has returned to the court with a stunning win over Marin Cilic.
The world number two is playing competitive action for the first time since losing the US Open final to Carlos Alcaraz earlier this month.
As the Asian swing gets underway, Alcaraz and Sinner are taking part in different tournaments.
Sinner has suggested that he’s struggling with his game a little bit right now, although his 6-2, 6-2 win over Cilic didn’t showcase that to be the case.
With Sinner now chasing in the ATP world rankings, the player has been quizzed for the first time since losing his top spot.
Jannik Sinner speaks on losing world number one spot to Carlos Alcaraz
It can’t be easy for Sinner to lose his place at the top of the charts, but it might allow him to refocus once again.
Sinner certainly isn’t fazed by it and after beating Cilic in comfortable fashion, he’s been asked about losing the number one mantle.
He said in his press conference: “No, I don’t think it’s pressure off or on. The season went how it went. Yes, we split the Grand Slams, but we still had two very different seasons.
“I’m very, very happy with the season I have played or am playing because it was remarkable from my side, what I did. But also what Carlos is doing, winning many, many titles this year.
“Yeah, I mean, he deserves to be there. It’s as simple as that. He played more tournaments, and he played all tournaments very, very well. If he was winning or achieving great results, he deserves to be there.
“Whatever happens in Turin happens. Davis Cup has different factors. You don’t play for yourself, you play for your whole country, which is even more different kind of pressure.
“Yeah, I mean, the season’s not over yet. We are still here. We have Shanghai, which is very big. We have Paris, which is very big. Turin, Davis Cup. Still big tournaments to come. Obviously, the biggest, they are gone, with the Grand Slams, and we split those.
“Yeah, all I can say is I’m very happy with the season I’ve played. The ranking comes and goes, so let’s see.”
Sinner can finish the year as the world number one
It would be hard to bet against Sinner reclaiming that place as the number one player in tennis before the year is out.
Alcaraz isn’t too far ahead and a couple of wins here and there could be enough to edge him back to the top spot.
Sinner has shared the last eight Grand Slams with the Spaniard, and it’s quite clear that the two stars of the game are the world’s best players.
As a result, it feels natural that the two players will constantly be swapping with each other at the top, much like Roger Federer, Rafael Nadal and Novak Djokovic have done over the years.
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