The tennis world has witnessed talented prodigies before, but rarely does one seize destiny the way Jannik Sinner just did. Since the US Open loss to Carlos Alcaraz, the Italian has played with a fire that feels less like momentum and more like inevitability—a streak of three titles, a relentless march of victories, and now, the coronation that tennis fans have seen coming. With a calm smile and a champion's composure, Sinner stood before the cameras after yet another title triumph, ready to reveal the quiet force driving his extraordinary surge.

Before the US Open, Sinner played five finals, and he managed to win just two of them. It was the Australian Open and the Wimbledon Championships. But ever since the US Open, he has now won the China Open, the Vienna Open, and the Paris Masters. With his recent 6-4, 7-6(4) triumph over Canada’s Félix Auger-Aliassime, Sinner not only extended his winning streak to 26 on indoor hard courts but also became the first Italian man in history to win the Paris Masters.

Later after the match, when Jannik Sinner was asked about the process of adding new things to his game since the US Open, he said, “Look, I mean, if you go to a tournament of a hundred players, all hundred players, they want to improve, right? There is not one who is on the court just to hit some balls, you know. So I'm not doing something very special. I'm just doing the stuff what all other hundred players are doing. I just put a lot of effort in, you know. I really try to go over or out of my comfort zone at times, especially in practice sessions, to understand what can potentially give me something in the future.”

 If we take a look at some more records that he broke with this win, since the format’s introduction in 1990, Sinner is now the fifth player to win each of his first five ATP Masters 1000 titles on hard courts. Talking about his recent surge, he said in the actual matches, one has to have a good balance of trying and winning, and it’s not like trying all the time or playing only to win every point. 

The once raw talent is now a fully aligned competitor, embracing pressure rather than running from it. Jannik Sinner further elaborated on his hard work for improvement, saying, “If you go to all the players, they went already through this process what l'm going through. Everyone is working on stuff. There is no magic. You know, there is a lot of work, and that's it, you know.” According to Sinner, it’s very important to go through tough situations and losses before one gets to understand what the right path is for him/her.

And as the cameras clicked, he left the room not with the swagger of a newly crowned king, but with the quiet hunger of someone convinced he’s only getting started.

After the match, Sinner also thanked his team for pushing him to the limits and also shared a few words on Auger-Aliassime, who has been really impressive in not only this tournament but throughout the season as a whole. 

What did Jannik Sinner say to his opponent after the match?

As the final ball struck the tape and drifted wide, Jannik Sinner didn’t erupt in wild celebration. Instead, he paused, exhaling, his eyes drifting toward the man across the net. Paris had given him another crown, but in his victory, Sinner made sure another warrior received his flowers. Felix Auger-Aliassime had pushed him, challenged him, and reminded the tennis world of his fire—and Sinner wasn’t about to go unnoticed.

In his post-match press conference, the Italian said, “Hello everyone. Sorry, I can’t speak French; give me some years… (laughs) First of all, Felix, amazing week. I know you had a lot of pressure. You’ve been in a very difficult spot throughout the whole week. I hope it pays off for you, playing in Turin. Congrats to you and your whole team.  You’re one of the nicest people on the tour. If you keep playing like this, you’re for sure gonna have some of this, I’m very sure. I wish you the best for the rest of the season, but also the rest of your career. You’re amazing.”

Even the Canadian didn’t forget to mention how Sinner’s rapid rise has inspired players like him to chase further excellence.

Before the match, the Canadian stated that Jannik Sinner is “not invincible” as he looked to pull off a massive upset at the Paris Masters final. But shortly after tasting his third defeat (in five meetings) against the Italian, it was nothing but sheer respect for the new world number one.

Auger-Aliassime said, “Merci. It’s never easy to lose in a final… but Jannik, congrats to you and your team. You push all the players and myself to improve and get better. I can only give you credit and tip my hat off to all the improvements since we’ve known each other. I think we were playing FIFA when we were 16 or 17.”

With his win against the world number 8, Sinner has now also joined the elite 60%+ club. This elite list represents ATP players who have a 60%+ win rate vs. the Top 10 (min 70 matches played).

For Jannik Sinner, this Paris Masters triumph continues his blistering run. The ATP Finals now beckon, where the Italian arrives as both performer and standard-bearer.

But can Carlos Alcaraz still become world number one after Jannik Sinner’s recent snatch? If we take a look at the current ATP Live Rankings, Sinner now sits at the top with 11,500 points, while Alcaraz follows him with 11,250 points. But before entering Turin, it will drop down to 10,000 for Sinner and 11,050 for the Spaniard.

If we take a look at all the permutations and combinations put on by renowned journalist Jose Morgado:

“If SINNER wins all five matches in Turin... ALCARAZ is year-end #1 if:

- wins all 3 round robin matches

- wins 2 round robin matches and reaches the final

- wins 1 round robin match and reaches the final

If SINNER wins Turin with 1 loss:

ALCARAZ is year-end #1 if:

- wins 2 matches in Turin

If SINNER wins Turin with 2 losses: 

ALCARAZ is year-end #1 if:

- wins 1 match in Turin.”

So, the battle for the world number one spot is far from getting over! However, Jannik Sinner didn’t forget to describe his return to the world number as “huge” after his recent Paris Masters triumph. He stated that no matter what happens in Turin, he’s extremely happy with his performances in this season. He has a win-loss record of 53-6 this season and has already added 5 titles to his tally. Do you think he can add his sixth with a historic win on his home soil?

Written by

Sayantan Roy

Sayantan Roy is a seasoned tennis journalist at EssentiallySports. He brings a deep tactical understanding to his coverage, breaking down head-to-head records, match dynamics, and on-court strategies with precision. For more than two years, Sayantan has been a key member of the Live Events desk, delivering real-time insights and data-backed predictions for the platform’s Matchday Preview section. His analytical approach has sparked editorial debates and drawn recognition from respected tennis voices, including commentator and analyst Olly_Tennis. Combining his experience in writing with a passion for insightful sports journalism, Sayantan’s work serves as a trusted reference point for tennis fans around the world.

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