Sinner’s sizzling streak & Djokovic’s historic chase; What to watch for in 2025

As the 2025 ATP Tour season approaches, the spotlight is on Jannik Sinner and his supremacy atop the PIF ATP Rankings. Two of the Italian’s great rivals, Novak Djokovic and Carlos Alcaraz, are eyeing a slice of history in their own right. There are also bound to be surprises, whether emerging young talents become household names or the sport’s biggest tournaments crown new champions.

Sinner seeks to sustain success
Jannik Sinner enters 2025 as the undisputed man to beat. Last season, he won more titles (eight) than the number of matches he lost (six) and became the first Italian to reach No. 1 in PIF ATP Rankings history (since 1973).

The 23-year-old is bubbling with momentum, riding a 14-match winning streak dating back to early October. Sinner will have 2,500 points to defend in the first two months of the season, aiming to lift the Australian Open trophy and Rotterdam title for the second consecutive year.

After claiming Nitto ATP Finals glory for the first time and finishing as the clear ATP Year-End No. 1 presented by PIF, the Italian will take plenty of confidence into 2025.

Djokovic’s drive for 100th tour-level trophy
Novak Djokovic is no stranger to chasing history and this season, the Serbian is aiming to become the third player in the Open Era to claim a 100th tour-level title (Jimmy Connors, 109; Roger Federer, 103).

Djokovic was in the winner’s circle just one time in 2024, a modest outcome by his lofty standards. However, it was a key triumph for him at the Paris Olympics.

The 38-year-old’s latest addition to his team, former rival Andy Murray, is an intriguing layer to Djokovic's pursuit of returning to the top. Djokovic will start his season in Brisbane before returning to Melbourne Park, where he owns a record 10 titles.

Chasing first crowns
A player’s first ATP Tour title is an unforgettable moment, whether it is a seasoned veteran triumphing or a fresh-faced newcomer breaking onto the scene. A dozen players tasted tour-level triumph for the first time in 2024, including Jiri Lehecka, Jan-Lennard Struff, Jordan Thompson and Marcos Giron.

Entering the 2025 season, Tomas Machac, Flavio Cobolli, Matteo Arnaldi and Tomas Martin Etcheverry are the highest-ranked players who are seeking their maiden moment.

Machac earned four Top 10 wins in 2024, including against Djokovic and Alcaraz, proving he is more than capable of playing on the biggest stages. Cobolli was a finalist at the ATP 500 in Washington. American Alex Michelsen is another rising star hungry to lift his maiden tour-level trophy. The 20-year-old has already reached three finals, including two in 2024.

Most improved players from 2024 among those to watch
Giovanni Mpetshi Perricard was named the Most Improved Player of the Year in the 2024 ATP Awards, beating out Machac, Jack Draper and Alejandro Tabilo. Those four players are currently all in the Top 40 as they aim to build upon their career-best seasons. Mpetshi Perricard’s rise has been as explosive as his booming serve. In the second half of the year, the 21-year-old won two tour-level titles — Lyon and Basel — and skyrocketed from outside the Top 100 to a career-high No. 30 in the PIF ATP Rankings.

Draper earned his first two ATP Tour titles this season in Stuttgart and Vienna. After injury struggles in 2023, he rose to a career-high PIF ATP Ranking of No. 15 behind those two triumphs. Tabilo was a threat on all three surfaces, claiming titles in Auckland and Mallorca while finishing runner-up in Santiago.

Unexpected glory
While most of the ATP Masters 1000 tournaments in 2024 were dominated by Top 20 players, history suggests a surprise run always remains on the table. In the past three seasons, three players outside the Top 20 have lifted an ATP Masters 1000 title, including Alexei Popyrin, who in 2024 was crowned champion Montreal.

Casper Ruud and Alex de Minaur are the lone Top 10 players without an ATP Masters 1000 title, but after a 2024 season in which they each claimed their biggest career trophy, the Norwegian and Australian could be stars to watch. Matteo Berrettini enjoyed a resurgent year, claiming Comeback Player of the Year honours following three tour-level titles. The former World No. 6 will have his sights set on climbing even higher, having previously reached a Masters 1000 final (Madrid 2021) and a major final (Wimbledon 2022).