Jannik Sinner is closing in on a return to tennis world number one after a strong spell of form stateside saw him secure the Sunshine Double at Indian Wells and the Miami Open.
The Italian ace is within striking distance of rival Carlos Alcaraz heading into the Monte-Carlo Masters next week, where victory in the final would move him above the Spaniard.
Sinner was last ranked at number one in the ATP rankings back in November 2025, although the 24-year-old's stay was brief, lasting just a solitary week before Alcaraz jumped back to the summit.
Victory in California and Florida saw Sinner collect 2000 ATP ranking points, as well as over $2m in prize money, which has seen him reel in Alcaraz and the world number one spot.
Sinner becomes just the eighth male in tennis history to secure the Sunshine Double, and the world number two did so without dropping a single set.
Alcaraz currently sits 1,190 points ahead of Sinner in the rankings and, with 1000 points again on offer at Monte-Carlo, victory in the final would see the Italian ascend to number one status, regardless of Alcaraz' points haul.
Rank | Name | Points |
|---|---|---|
1 | Carlos Alcaraz | 13,590 |
2 | Jannik Sinner | 12,400 |
This is because ATP ranking points are held for 12 months and accrued points fall off the players total after the next iteration of the tournament in question.
Alcaraz was the Monte-Carlo Masters champion in 2025 and secured the 1000 points prize, those rankings points will fall off his total after the tournament in France next week, unless the 22-year-old wins the event for a second successive year.
If Sinner defeats Alcaraz in the final in Monte-Carlo, Alcaraz will see his points fall by 350, while Sinner's will increase by 1000 - meaning the Italian will end up 160 points ahead of his rival come the conclusion of the tournament.
Alcaraz, who has sat at world number one for the last five months, will need to better Sinner's result in Monte-Carlo in order to remain at the top of the world rankings, although that is no easy task given Sinner's current form.
While Sinner has been victorious in his last two events, Alcaraz has failed to reach the final in either and lost in the round of 32 against American underdog Sebastian Korda in Miami last time out.
Monte-Carlo will see a change in surface however with the tournament played on clay courts, something which may favour the Spaniard.
Alcaraz has a superior record between the pair on clay and defeated Sinner in the French Open final last year.
