Jannik Sinner’s Remarkable Journey in Tennis
Jannik Sinner has had a whirlwind few months as he continues to make waves in the world of tennis, reshaping the sport with his performances. On Tuesday, he kicked off his French Open campaign with a straightforward straight-sets victory, which has become the norm whenever he steps onto the court. With this win, Sinner is now just a few victories away from completing his career Grand Slam, a rare achievement that only a select few players have managed.
Since the start of the Open Era, only six players have completed the career Grand Slam: Rod Laver (1969), Andre Agassi (1999), Roger Federer (2009), Rafa Nadal (2010), Novak Djokovic (2016), and more recently, Carlos Alcaraz earlier this year. However, there is an even smaller group that Sinner has joined after his first-round victory at the French Open. This group consists of three players who have achieved a unique statistical milestone, showcasing their dominance during certain periods of their careers.
Sinner Matches the Big Three
It’s no surprise that these three are part of the “Big 3,” whose rivalries have shaped and defined the sport for years. By defeating Clement Tabur on Tuesday, Jannik Sinner became only the fourth player this century, after Federer, Nadal, and Djokovic, to win thirty-plus consecutive matches. This streak highlights the Italian’s control over the tour at the moment. His run has seen him secure five consecutive Masters 1000 events this year — a category in which he’s the only one to achieve this feat.
This is a remarkable turnaround. At the same time Sinner was struggling, many expected his rival, Alcaraz, to embark on a long winning streak following a strong start to the season that saw him complete his Career Grand Slam in Australia. The Spaniard had built up a 16-match winning run before it was ended in Indian Wells after a dominant semi-final performance by Daniil Medvedev.
Now, Alcaraz is sidelined due to a wrist injury, watching as his main rival continues to match or break records.
Eye On The Ball
Despite this impressive run and display of dominance, the real goal for Sinner remains victory at the French Open. Failing to lift the Coupe des Mousquetaires by June 7 would be a letdown for his recent achievements. Some voices have expressed concerns, suggesting he won’t win the French Open this year, but the general sentiment is that, barring a freak injury, he looks like a strong contender.
His next match will be against Juan Manuel Cerundolo, a match that should be manageable for him. Additionally, Daniil Medvedev’s exit — the player who has tested him the most during his winning streak — makes what was already a favorable draw even better. Both Zverev and Djokovic are on the other side of the bracket, further increasing Sinner’s chances.
It feels inevitable that by the end of this tournament, Jannik Sinner will have completed the set of Grand Slams and Masters 1000 events at the age of 24; a truly remarkable feat.
