After clinching an impressive eight titles, including two Grand Slams at the Australian Open and the US Open, Jannik Sinner has truly proven his critics wrong. Despite a doping controversy in March, he finished the year as World No. 1, showcasing his hard work and determination. Sinner remains humble, crediting his success to the unwavering support of his team and family, recognizing that his journey is a collective effort that has propelled him to the pinnacle of tennis.

After establishing himself as a formidable top-10 player in 2023, the Italian emerged as the dominant force in world tennis in 2024. He reflected on his journey, stating, “The results don’t come directly. I’ve worked hard over the last few years to find a way to be effective in the important moments. I thought I had become a great player when I entered the top 10, but I couldn’t beat the best: I had to add something to my tennis.”

Fun fact: Sinner kicked off his 2024 season with a bang, clinching his first Grand Slam title at the Australian Open. He achieved this by defeating Daniil Medvedev in a thrilling five-set match, coming back from two sets down with a score of 3-6, 3-6, 6-4, 6-4, 6-3. From that point on, he became nearly unstoppable.

With an astonishing record of 73 wins and just six losses, Sinner attributes much of his success to his coach. In an interview with Tennis Magazine, dated December 21st, he shared, “When Simone Vagnozzi started coaching me, I started to vary my game more: in matches sometimes it works and sometimes it doesn’t, but in my head I feel like we’re going in the right direction. Since the middle of last year, all the pieces have started to fall into place, starting with the serve, which has become an important weapon in key moments.”

Vagnozzi joined forces with Darren Cahill to coach Sinner in February and June 2022. Since then, Sinner has been on a relentless quest for titles. In 2023 alone, he secured four titles in Montpellier, Canada, Beijing, and Vienna. By 2024, he doubled that number, showcasing the significant progress he made with his team. He emphasized that “the results didn’t come suddenly; I worked hard in the last few years to be ready for the important moments. The victories obtained this year are the result of what was done in the past.”

As he aimed to finish the 2024 season on a high note, Sinner noted how crucial it was to “close 2024 with a positive balance against the best.” He certainly achieved that by defeating top players like Novak Djokovic, Medvedev, Carlos Alcaraz, and Andrey Rublev. His journey has been methodical—progressing from early rounds to finals over three years. The Italian acknowledged his growth by saying he was “always coming close.”

Looking ahead, there’s still room for more success. What kept him going through tough losses and a doping controversy? Tennis expert Mats Wilander attributes it to Sinner’s solid mindset.

Mats Wilander breaks down the World No.1’s mindset

After testing positive twice for the banned substance Clostebol in March, Jannik Sinner faced scrutiny over doping allegations. He claimed the substance entered his system through a gloveless massage from his physiotherapist, who used a spray containing Clostebol. The ITIA dropped the case in August due to “no fault or negligence,” but WADA appealed to CAS in September, risking a ban of up to two years. Despite this turmoil, Sinner finished the year as World No. 1 and won the ATP Finals title against Taylor Fritz. Mats Wilander praised Sinner’s remarkable resilience during a recent episode of the podcast ‘Kick Serve.’

He noted how well Sinner navigated challenges while under immense pressure. “Hey, if I don’t win this, well, look how much cr*p is going on in my life,” Wilander said. This mindset allowed Sinner to embrace his position as world number one while acknowledging there was still room for improvement. Wilander added that Sinner managed to turn his struggles to an advantage, crediting his unique “mountain mentality” as a blend of both Austrian and Italian influences. While Sinner maintained his composure on the court, he admitted to feeling shaken inside.

In an interview with Esquire, he shared that he endured many “sleepless nights” and struggled with trust among his peers. He recalled training at the Cincinnati clubhouse and questioning how others perceived him: “I realized who my real friends are.” As he looks toward the 2025 season, will he tackle new challenges in 2025 with the same determination as this year? Share your thoughts in the comments below!