Like a year ago, Jannik Sinner can finish the season with two notable crowns, the ATP Finals title and the year-end no. 1 honor. While he stands as the clear favorite to achieve the first feat, the second does not depend on him.
Jannik sets his eyes on the ATP Finals title defense while quietly keeping an eye on the year-end no. 1 fight with his greatest rival, Carlos Alcaraz. The Spaniard almost locked his year-end no. 1 crown after the Shanghai Masters.
However, the Italian kept fighting, conquering Vienna and Paris and welcoming his opponent's early exit in the French capital. Thus, the home favorite enters the ultimate challengewith 1050 points deficit.
Sinner enters Turin with momentum following his incredible indoor streak. However, he remains strikingly realistic. The four-time Major champion admits the numbers still favor Alcaraz, who controls everything.
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Jannik will try to mirror last year's feat and chase the ATP Finals title with all five wins. However, if Carlos beats three rivals, the year-end no. 1 battle will be terminated, regardless of the latter stages of the premium event.
Instead of obsessing over points and the chase, the Italian's focus is on performance. He places the quality of his game and the energy he brings above calculations and additional pressure.
Last year's triumph in front of the home fans in Turin gave him one of the most emotional moments of his career. The San Candido native now chases that same joy again, not the arithmetic of the rankings.
Sinner's approach is simple but powerful. He wants to play freely and enjoy the moment on the special occasion. If he performs at his best, the results will come by themselves.
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That mindset might be the real key to ending another season on top, in points or in pride, or maybe in both if everything goes well for him.
"Carlos' early exit in Paris has opened up some scenarios. I'm following them, but I also know that if he plays well, there's no chance for me to pass him, regardless of my results.
Last year, I had a wonderful feeling lifting the ATP Finals trophy, and I would like to experience that again, regardless of the no. 1 ranking battle. The key to playing good tennis is to be as free as possible," Jannik Sinner said.
