Jannik Sinner sent warning by Italian great who says getting to world No 1 is ‘easy’

Italian tennis legend Nicola Pietrangeli has warned Jannik Sinner he will “only have enemies” when he overtakes Novak Djokovic to become the new ATP world No 1.

Pietrangeli, a two-time French Open champion, also claimed that getting to world No 1 is “easy” and argued the challenge is “maintaining yourself.”

Following Novak Djokovic’s withdrawal from the 2024 French Open due to injury, Sinner will be the first Italian to be the world’s top-ranked player when the ATP Rankings update on Monday.

Sinner , who was already the highest-ranked Italian player in history at world No 2, could mark his coronation in style by claiming the Roland Garros title.

The 22-year-old will face his rival Carlos Alcaraz in a blockbuster semi-final showdown in the French capital on Friday. Sinner is looking to win his second consecutive Grand Slam title after securing his maiden Major at the Australian Open in January.

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Pietrangeli argued that Sinner becoming world No 1 will make him a target for all of his rivals on the ATP Tour, but feels his young compatriot has the mindset to deal with this.

“Now that he is No 1 everyone will want to beat Sinner. He will feel the enormous satisfaction of having succeeded, but from now on he will only have enemies,” the 90-year-old told Corriere dello Sport .

“Getting there is easy, maintaining yourself is difficult: let’s hope it stays there. Jannik is obliged to win, but he has his feet on the ground”

The Italian icon also believes Sinner is capable of staying on top of the rankings if he can remain healthy.

“It’s time, too bad he didn’t do it by playing against Djokovic and beating him, it would have been more beautiful still,” Pietrangeli explained in quotes reported by Sportal .

“It’s good news. Already for some time Sinner was giving you the impression of being No 1. Djokovic, I saw him miraculously in two matches in a row [at the French Open] – a player like him coming in five sets twice. You could see he was tired.

“How long will he stay No 1? He is on the right track, a very good track. It all depends on his physical state, because the hip doesn’t give the impression of making him suffer too much, but it’s a nasty beast.”

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