Novak Djokovic has congratulated Jannik Sinner on becoming the new World No. 1 following the conclusion of the 2024 French Open.
Djokovic, who owns the record for the most weeks at number one with 428, needed to reach the final of this year's Roland Garros to keep his hopes of retaining the top spot alive.
But a knee injury cruelly ended his campaign, and he was forced to withdraw from the tournament before his quarterfinal match against Casper Ruud. Djokovic has since undergone surgery in Paris and is currently recovering in the hope that he will return at Wimbledon.
Therefore, Sinner, who exited the tournament in the semifinal stage after losing to eventual champion Carlos Alcaraz, was guaranteed to become the first Italian in history to become the ATP world number one regardless of his progress for the remainder of the tournament.
As of June 10th, he is the 29th male player to rise to the world's number-one ranking. Djokovic, meanwhile, has since dropped down to third and has been replaced by Alcaraz in the top two.
However, the Serbian legend was delighted to see one of his young rivals achieve this huge milestone and took to Instagram to share his acclaim. It comes on the back of Sinner, who receives a special trophy from the men's governing body.
"Thank you @atptour for today’s presentation, a lovely moment and I now look forward to start the grass court season."
"Congratulations on well deserved top spot of the world of tennis."
Djokovic was among a long list of famous players and celebrities who congratulated the 22-year-old Italian. Retired legend Roger Federer was featured in a recent video released by the ATP, in which he acknowledged Sinner's latest achievement and sent his best wishes for the future.
Sinner has won over 30 matches in the first half of the season and lost three times. He has picked titles at the Australian Open, Rotterdam, and Miami Open.
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