In a review of the 2024 ATP season, The Athletic ’s tennis team look back at Jannik Sinner and Carlos Alcaraz ’s remastering of men’s tennis; Novak Djokovic ’s best worst year; the rise of Taylor Fritz and the retirement of two legends.

Jannik Sinner started his 26th week as world no. 1. The Italian is climbing through the list, moving ten weeks from catching his great rival, Carlos Alcaraz. Jannik has built a massive advantage over his opponents following a stellar season.

Jannik Sinner has been by far the best player this year, reaching the top of the rankings, and winning two Grand Slams. And Novak Djokovic has now revealed that he always knew the Italian was destined for great things after they met when Sinner was still a teenager.

The 23-year-old could be banned from tennis for up to two years if the Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS) upholds the World Anti-Doping Agency (WADA) appeal into Sinner’s doping case. He tested positive for clostebol, a banned anabolic steroid on March 10 at the BNP Paribas Open held in Indian Wells, Calif, and on March 18, out of competition.

Gigi Salmon, Tim Henman, Laura Robson and Jonathan Overend pick their big winners of 2024; watch all the action from the ATP and WTA Tours on Sky Sports Tennis and Sky Sports+ which is integrated into Sky TV,

The defeat took a toll on the four-time title winner, who thought Sinner had no future. “I called my agent, and my coach wasn’t even there at the time, he was flying in the next day, but I’m like, ‘I just lost to - this kid sucks, he’s terrible. I’m literally quitting tennis for the rest of your life.’”

Novak Djokovic is ready to challenge Jannik Sinner and Carlos Alcaraz at the Grand Slam stage when he returns to action at the Australian Open after an underwhelming campaign this year, the 24-times champion said.

Novak Djokovic believes world No 1 Jannik Sinner will now look to “find the right” formula to ensure he can stay at the top of tennis for as long as possible. Sinner was the dominant force in the men’s game in 2024,