Jannik Sinner joins Novak Djokovic, Roger Federer and Rafael Nadal in rare ATP milestone

Jannik Sinner has dominated the 2025 season despite limited time on court. He successfully defended his Australian Open title in January, claiming his third Grand Slam overall. It remains his only tournament of the year so far, but that hasn’t stopped him from topping the rankings and making history, joining Roger Federer, Rafael Nadal and Novak Djokovic in an impressive stat.

Despite not competing since February due to a suspension, Sinner has reached an elite milestone in men’s tennis. As of this week, he has spent 45 weeks ranked No. 1 in the world. according to OptaAce, that places him alongside just four players since the start of the ATP Tour in 1990 who opened their reigns with longer runs: Federer, Djokovic, Nadal, and Lleyton Hewitt.

Sinner is now the 13th man in ATP history to have spent at least 46 weeks at the top of the rankings. He is close to Jim Courier’s total of 58 weeks, and continues to close in on several all-time greats.

Neither Alexander Zverev nor Carlos Alcaraz managed to take advantage of Sinner’s absence to climb in the ATP rankings. Zverev posted a 6–6 match record during that stretch, while Alcaraz also fell short in Miami and Indian Wells, despite winning Monte Carlo.

Jannik Sinner won the 2025 Australian Open (Getty Images)

Sinner’s doping case and return in Rome

Sinner accepted a three-month suspension in February following an agreement with the World Anti-Doping Agency. He has missed four Masters 1000 events: Indian Wells, Miami, Monte Carlo, and Madrid. The ban ends on May 4.

see also

Roger Federer teases a comeback to the court: ‘I would like to play some more tennis again’

WADA confirmed that Sinner could resume official training on April 13. Although the world No. 1 has not played since winning in Melbourne, he will return in Rome on May 7.

The 23-year-old became the first Italian to reach the No. 1 spot and has already collected 19 singles titles, including three major titles (2024, 2025 Australian Open and 2024 US Open). He also lifted the 2024 ATP Finals title, won four Masters 1000 tournaments, and led Italy to back-to-back Davis Cup triumphs in 2023 and 2024.

ATP Rankings: Which men have spent more than 45 weeks at the Top?

1. Novak Djokovic (428)
2. Roger Federer (310)
3. Pete Sampras (286)
4. Ivan Lendl (270)
5. Jimmy Connors (268)
6. Rafael Nadal (209)
7. John McEnroe (170)
8. Björn Borg (109)
9. Andre Agassi (101)
10. Lleyton Hewitt (80)
11. Stefan Edberg (72)
12. Jim Courier (58)
13. Jannik Sinner (45)