World No. 1 Jannik Sinner and World No. 3 Carlos Alcaraz have dominated Grand Slam events this year. For the first time since 2017, their partner Nike has achieved a clean sweep and conquered all four Grand Slams in a calendar year. The last duo to do the same were tennis icons, Roger Federer and Rafael Nadal.
While Sinner made a flawless start to the season by lifting the Australian Open, Alcaraz hit back by claiming the French Open and Wimbledon titles. The Spaniard couldn’t continue his purple patch in New York, which allowed the Italian to level the score by winning his maiden US Open.
For the first time since 2002, neither of the Big Three of Roger Federer, Rafael Nadal, and Novak Djokovic, have won a Major in the calendar year. The next generation has started to stamp their authority in men’s tennis and we might be witnessing the beginning of a new era without the established legends.
Jannik Sinner signed a 10-year contract with Nike in 2022 worth $150 million. Alcaraz also shifted to the sporting giants from Lotte in 2019 and agreed to a contract worth 20 million per year until 2025. Sinner and Alcaraz are among the top three tennis players in the world right now. The pair have won nine titles this year, including three Masters 1000 trophies and all four Majors.
The last time Nike completed a clean sweep in a calendar year was when Roger Federer and Rafael Nadal left no stone unturned in 2017. While Federer claimed titles in Melbourne and Wimbledon, Nadal reigned supreme in Paris and New York.
In all, 2024 has been a tremendous year for Nike as World No. 2 in women’s tennis Aryna Sabalenka also clinched titles in the Australian Open and the US Open. The Belarusian also lifted the Cincinnati Open last month and has already qualified for the year-ending WTA Finals.
Jannik Sinner extends his lead at the top of the ATP Rankings; moves over 4000 points clear of Carlos Alcaraz
Jannik Sinner at the US Open 2024 – Day 10 – Source: Getty
Jannik Sinner at the US Open 2024 – Day 10 – Source: Getty
Jannik Sinner is now 4,490 points clear of Carlos Alcaraz at the top of the ATP Rankings. The Italian captured his second Major this year by defeating Taylor Fritz 6-3, 6-4, 7-5 in the US Open final.
Sinner has had an amazing run on hardcourts in 2024. Apart from the US Open, he also amassed title-winning runs in Rotterdam, Miami, Melbourne, and Cincinnati.
Alcaraz, on the contrary, made a slow start to the season but found his rhythm with a remarkable title defense in Indian Wells. He continued his purple patch to claim titles in Paris and Wimbledon and secured a silver medal in the Summer Olympics.
The Spaniard is ranked third in the ATP rankings and trails Alexander Zverev by 385 points. It will be interesting to see if he can reclaim the second spot with the Asian hardcourt swing on the horizon.