Last but certainly not least: Sinner handed ITF World Champion trophy
What better place for world No. 1 Jannik Sinner to collect his ITF World Champion presented by UNIQLO award than Wimbledon, where a few days later he claimed the men’s singles title in history-making style.
As is common knowledge, Sinner became the first Italian player to win a Wimbledon singles title on Sunday after recovering from his Roland Garros despair to dispatch Spain’s Carlos Alcaraz in four sets.
Making history has become something of a habit as the 23-year-old also holds the accolade for being the first Italian man or woman to be named an ITF World Champion in singles following his 2024 output.
As a reminder, Sinner achieved the world No. 1 year-end ranking for the first time last winner after winning two Grand Slam titles – at the Australian Open and US Open – and the ATP Finals.
View this post on Instagram
He boasted a 73-6 win-loss record for the year, while he also led Italy to their second successive Davis Cup triumph in Malaga, going unbeaten across singles and doubles during a pulsating week.
“This is a really nice trophy – the one I just got here,” said Sinner. “Thank you so much for this, I really appreciate it, and I wish everyone involved in tennis a beautiful year”.
It was a short but sweet acceptance speech but his on-court ability spoke volumes in 2024, while this season he has reached the final of three Grand Slams – winning two.
Had he converted one of the three championship points he had at Roland Garros, the prospect of a calendar Grand Slam would be a significant discussion point heading into September’s US Open.
View this post on Instagram
Incidentally, the last male player to achieve such a feat was Australia’s Rod Laver in 1969, and following Sinner’s setback on the Parisian clay the wait for a successor to that particular throne goes on.
Sinner, however, brushed aside any apparent anguish and at Wimbledon he showed all the qualities which saw him named an ITF World Champion in the first place.
“Bouncing back after Roland Garros is the part where I'm the proudest because it really has not been easy,” said Sinner. “I always tried to be honest with myself and ask, ‘what if?’. I always tried to accept it.
“Things can happen. I believe if you lose a Grand Slam final that way, it's much better like this than if someone kills you. Then after, you keep going and keep pushing.
“I did a lot of intensity in every practice because I felt I could play well. That's why I also said after Roland Garros that it's not the time to put me down, because another Grand Slam is coming up. I did great at Wimbledon.”
With Sinner in receipt of his ITF World Champion award, that's a wrap with regards to the winners being given their awards it being reported upon. Full steam ahead to the 2025 awards being announced.