Jannik Sinner‘s world no.1 crown starts receiving strong support from renowned ministers of the sport. Novak Djokovic‘s diminishing graph allowed a weak spot that the young Italian analyzed and started to hit hard. While the Serb was forced to exit from the ongoing clay-court major event, the throne automatically passed on to the 2024 Australian Open champion. As soon as the ATP rankings welcomed the new topper, former tennis pros came forward to cherish his feat.

Jannik Sinner is currently waiting to find out who his semi-final opponent would be. While his direct competitor Novak Djokovic had to walk out without even facing a defeat, Sinner moved up, receiving firm backing from ATP and WTA pros. Amid the concerning phase of the Serb, Serena Williams’s ex-coach Rennae Stubbs came forward to congratulate Sinner for the feat at such a young age.

“Great to hear @janniksin talk about being number 1 on Monday. Clearly was very respectful of Novak but yet still loved to see a guy work hard and get rewarded for all that hard work. Congrats Mate,” she wrote. Although she spared a part to extend sympathy towards the Serb, her tweet was mainly focused on decorating the young Italian’s crown.

“Wow just heard the Djoker news on injury pull out,” Coco Gauff’s coach Brad Gilbert wrote. Framing the Serb’s saddening update with a “wow” might have revealed that he’s happy to see Jannik Sinner attain the top spot. Djokovic’s spot has been danger for a while now, going title-less this year. And Roland Garros was the final nail in the coffin.

Holger Rune’s coach Patrick Mouratoglou also decided to join the winning party. “Congratulations to the new World No1 @janniksin,” he wrote in a post on X. While it might not be how Sinner anticipated reaching the top spot, it’s a moment of celebration nevertheless.

“Congratulations Jannik,” Boris Becker said. The fact that he has closely backed Novak Djokovic’s journey makes the siding a bit odd. While the connections are in the past, cherishing the young prodigy’s feat stands to be a justified response.

These were just the opening comments for the new world no.1. As the young Italian is now expected to carry the baton of hopes of countless fans, especially Italian, his run for the title in Paris is highly valuable.

Jannik Sinner proudly accepts one of his goals for this season

While Novak Djokovic’s evident absence in this season brought the young Italian close to his dream, he didn’t back down from embracing the massive feat. “It represents a great result of work ethic. Me and my team, it was one of our goals but you know the most important goal is to improve as a player and as a person you know surrounding myself with great people,” Jannik Sinner said, on being asked about what this achievement means to him.

At the same time, Sinner also sent best wishes to the Serbian, “In the other way, seeing Novak retiring here, I think it’s for everyone disappointing so I wish him a speedy recovery.”

Novak Djokovic’s unexpected exit was surely a saddening update. While the news was crossed out by Jannik Sinner’s achievement, the support seems to be shifting towards the younger generation in bulk.