Jannik Sinner has confirmed his status as the year-ending world No.1 for the first time in his career after reaching the Shanghai Masters final.
The 23-year-old defeated Czechia's Tomas Machac 6-4 7-5 to reach his eighth final of 2024 and separate himself from world No.2 Carlos Alcaraz in the rankings.
Alcaraz's shock straight-sets defeat at the hands of Machac two days ago means Sinner holds an unassailable 4450-point advantage at the summit.
The reigning Australian Open and US Open winner becomes the first Italian to achieve the historic feat.
"It’s amazing. It’s something you dream of when you’re a kid when you’re young," Sinner said after his semi-final victory. "To reach the No.1 spot now, but to have the year-end... it’s also a different and special feeling."
"But this happened during the tournament, so I’m not even thinking about that. I know tomorrow will be an important day… the final.
"It means so much to me obviously. This is something I could not accomplish without the family and friends I have. Credit to my team."
Sinner will face Novak Djokovic in tonight’s final, as the Serbian aims to seek revenge for his Australian Open loss in January.
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