The last couple of weeks have been a roller-coaster for tennis fans. While Jannik Sinner claimed the year-end title, asserting his dominance again to close the season, Rafael Nadal drew curtains on his illustrious career. This all certainly represents the transition happening in the circuit. Top players retiring and young players dominating the scene. However, if Jack Sock and his colleagues have to be believed, Jannik Sinner is racing way past others, including Carlos Alcaraz.

On the latest episode of Nothing Major, on November 23rd, Sam Querrey, Jack Sock, Steve Johnson, and John Isner sat down to discuss the ATP finals, as the season came to an end. While discussing the performance of the top 8 players, the former pros were astounded by Sinner’s complete dominance throughout the season. One of the guests present asked Sock whether Sinner had “separated himself from the rest of the field at this point?”

The former American pro answered in the affirmative, as he said, “I feel like he has. I feel like he’s that much better.” This was not all. According to Sock, Jannik Sinner is so far ahead of the rest that he has “no one even on his heels at the moment.” And Sock is not far from the truth. Sinner claimed 8 titles in the season, including 2 Grand Slams. Moreover, he won the ATP Finals at Turin without dropping a set in the whole tournament.

Sock further added, “Yeah, I think it’s gotten to the point of entering tournaments now in general. I mean, maybe, maybe clay stuff. It may, maybe, is the exception, but even then I feel like it’s gotten out to the point with him in the draw. it’s surprising if he doesn’t win the tournament.”

Although Carlos Alcaraz also claimed 2 Grand Slam titles this season, in addition to an Olympics silver, the Spaniard ended up losing a lot of matches after the Paris Olympics. Sinner, on the other hand, was consistent with his run.

Sinner has now reached a stage where he is entering almost all the tournaments as a favorite. Clay, however, might not be the easiest of surfaces for the World No. 1. “I think it’s gotten to the point of entering tournaments now in general. I mean, maybe, maybe clay stuff. It may, maybe, be the exception,” Sock remarked. We will see next season if the Italian makes a mark in the French Open, but it’s only fair to have a look back at what he did this year.

The high and lows of Jannik Sinner’s 2024 season at a glance

Jannik Sinner started this season with a remarkable win at the Australian Open, thus winning his first-ever Grand Slam. He further went on to win the ATP Rotterdam, Miami Open, Halle Open, Cincinnati Masters, US Open, Shanghai Masters, and the ATP Finals. The only other player who challenged him throughout the season was Carlos Alcaraz. The Spaniard ousted the Italian at the Indian Wells, the French Open, and the China Open.

However, that was his performance on the court. And things weren’t easy when off the court. During the Miami Open, the World No. 1 was caught up in a doping scandal. The ITIA, however, cleared him of all charges, but the secrecy around his trial got everyone on their toes, as questions were asked about the fairness of the trial. There still seems to be no end to his misery as WADA has filed an appeal, that might result in a suspension for Sinner.

Despite all of this, Sinner maintained consistency in his performance throughout the season. Though the WADA appeal still hangs over Jannik Sinner’s head, the Italian and his team are ready to face whatever comes their way. This struggle has only made Sinner stronger and more invincible in his pursuit to the top.