2023 has been the breakthrough season for Jannik Sinner. The young Italian player has enjoyed the best season of his career, and the accolades just keep coming. Sinner has finally broken Roger Federer’s record by winning the ATP Fan Favorite Player of the Year award.
It is a remarkable feat for Sinner, as Federer held the monopoly over the award between 2003 and 2021. Federer’s rival, Rafael Nadal, finally won the fan favorite award in 2022.
Jannik won over tennis fans with his daring displays on the court throughout the season. He won four titles this year, including his first Masters at the Canadian Open. Sinner also led Italy to a historic victory at the Davis Cup, lifting the trophy for the first time in 47 years.
It has been an unforgettable year for @janniksin, who is taking home the Fans’ Favourite Award! 👏 #ATPAwards
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— ATP Tour (@atptour) December 12, 2023
The young player was particularly impressive against Serbian legend Novak Djokovic, especially towards the end of the year. Sinner defeated Djokovic three times within a span of a few days, with two of them being on the same day at the Davis Cup.
Novak’s fans are a little unhappy with this result, though. Many wondered why the Serb was so unpopular with the fans. One user mocked him by saying, “Djokovic can’t win even this award when Fedal are away.” Here are a few reactions to Djokovic losing to Sinner.
Congrats Sinner. Well deserved.
Idk why people didn’t vote for Djokovic who should’ve win his first since Nadal wasn’t around. Nadal coming back next year simply means the next one is won already.— Olalekan Adeniji (@adenijisp) December 12, 2023
Djokovic can’t win even this award when Fedal are away 😂😂😂 The Antivaxxer is so unpopular 😭😂
— Fednanen (@fednanen) December 12, 2023
Novak don’t make that face 🙁
— Camilo ✨ (@CMilo31) December 12, 2023
Novak winning the award with Federer and Nadal away was a foregone conclusion for many. However, it was not meant to be, and Jannik Sinner walked away with the prize. Djokovic will not mind too much, since he has been collecting major titles himself.
Novak Djokovic makes an honest confession about Jannik Sinner and others
The Serbian enjoyed a remarkable season himself. He won three of the four Grand Slams, and with 24 major titles under his belt, he equaled Margaret Court’s record. While Novak created new records, he also found worthy opponents along the way.
Young players such as Carlos Alcaraz and Jannik Sinner managed to get the better of Novak. Alcaraz defeated him in the Wimbledon final, whereas Sinner defeated him three times this year. The Serb confessed that these young players awakened the ‘beast’ in him.
“The young guys who are very hungry and very inspired to play their best tennis against me is an additional motivation. I think they kind of awaken a beast in me,” he said in his latest interview (via Reuters).
Sinner, Alcaraz, and Djokovic have had a memorable season. The young players have already formed an interesting rivalry with Novak. With the new season on the horizon, all eyes will be on these players.