Djokovic Eyes Sinner's Top Spot In Olympics Race With Month Remaining

It's now a sprint to the finish line in the Olympics Race as Novak Djokovic and Jannik Sinner battle for the top spot.

The Italian is currently at the top of the race with 8725 points, the bulk of which he earned in 2024 by winning his first Grand Slam at the Australian Open and second career Masters at the Miami Open.

Djokovic, who is still trophyless this season, is second with 7810 points. The Serbian star has destiny in his own hands. Sinner will not play at the Italian Open, which is a major blow not just for the tournament and his home fans but also for his ambitions to become No. 1 before the French Open.

In his absence, World No. 1 Djokovic can take control of the Olympic race if he wins the Italian Open, which offers 1000 points. Alcaraz, who briefly led this race after winning Wimbledon last year, is now in third spot with 6580 points.

Like Sinner, the Spaniard will not be able to add to his tally in Rome after withdrawing from the event due to a forearm injury. If Djokovic wins at the Foro Italico, Alcaraz cannot be the No. 1 seed at the Olympics.

Daniil Medvedev, who is doubtful to defend his title in Rome, is in fourth place, while Andrey Rublev, who won the Madrid Open this past weekend, is in fifth. The two Russians are permitted to play but as neutral athletes.

Alexander Zverev, the defending Tokyo gold medalist, is sixth in the race. Hubert Hurkacz, Alex de Minaur, Grigor Dimitrov, and Stefanos Tsitsipas are all in the Top 10 and will lead their respective countries as the No. 1 players.

Countries like the USA, Argentina, and France have a surplus of representatives in the Top 56. Each nation must select a maximum of four of its best-ranked players.

So players like Frances Tiafoe, Sebastian Korda, Christopher Eubanks, and Marcos Giron are in competition for the next month to outperform one another to join the two favorites for the top two positions for team USA - Taylor Fritz and Ben Shelton.

This race has existed since June 2023, awarding points based on the results of every tournament from every single player in Olympics qualification contention.

The race window is a full year, ending on June 9th. The Top 56 players will enter the Olympics tennis tournament in Paris based on ranking as of June 10th, 2024.