Sinner, not even time to metabolize the victory in Melbourne that it is already time for new goals: future scenarios.
There are those who have won a Slam but never got to sit on the throne and enjoy the view from above. And then there are those who, on the other hand, like Rios, despite being No. 1 in the world never knew what it felt like to win a Slam. Because it’s true, a major doesn’t automatically open the door to heaven for you. It does give you the tools in your hand, though, to try to “break it down,” that door.
Something tells us, moreover, that Jannik Sinner will never be satisfied with the thrill that ran through his body on Sunday when, at the culmination of a stratospheric match, he beat Daniil Medvedev and won the Australian Open. He reasons by goals, the South Tyrolean tennis player. Surely he will want to put more points and more cups on the chopping block, but it is no mystery that the next step is to win the top spot in the Atp rankings. The most difficult of all goals a tennis player can set himself, because this time it depends not only on his willpower, physique, head and preparation.
It also depends on others, first and foremost Novak Djokovic, who is up there at the top, Carlos Alcaraz, who is now the second best player in the world, and Daniil Medvedev, who occupies the third spot on the podium. The top four are packed into a handful of points, just 1,500. Which is very few, when all is said and done. Considering, however, that each of them makes it to the bottom in virtually any tournament, or almost any tournament, it goes without saying that the challenge at the top will be fierce and could go on for much of the season without anyone getting a spider out of the hole.
Sinner, the assault on the throne begins: Wimbledon decisive
A watershed could most likely be the third Slam of the year. The race for the throne is therefore tinged with green because it is on the lawns of the All England Club that Jannik could concretely pursue his next dream. If he wins that, too, and if all goes well until then, he can dream of the throne.
This is only speculation, of course, since before the hour of Wimbledon strikes, the South Tyrolean will face many more challenges. Considering, however, the points that both he and the other aspirants to the throne will have to defend, that part of the season could theoretically be crucial. Decisive. The treasure trove the Blue will have to defend until March is less substantial, in fact, than what his three main opponents will have to protect. And this gives us hope, precisely, that Sinner can assault at least Medvedev already after the American swing.
Between Indian Wells and Miami Nole could, on the other hand, put a lot of very useful points in his pocket. In 2023 he did not play in either tournament, reasoning that, in his case, there is only to gain. At Wimbledon, on the other hand, he will have to scramble to defend the fortress, already outraged by Carlitos last year, and the points won by reaching the final. Not to mention that there is a new Slam animal, by now, around.