“I’ve played some really good tennis and I’m happy to be in this position,” said Sinner after learning he would become the first Italian man to top the ATP rankings on Monday.

“It represents a great result of work ethic from me and my team,” he said, having thanked his coaching staff during his on-court interview with former ATP pro Fabrice Santoro. “It was one of our goals this year but the most important goal is to improve as a player and as a person, surrounding myself with great people. I think I can be very happy and pleased with what I’m doing and what my team is doing, and I’m just looking forward to the semis.”

Sinner began his breakthrough 2024 season by winning his first Grand Slam title at the Australian Open, and followed that up with a second career Masters 1000 title at the Miami Open. Into his first career Roland Garros semifinal, he will await the winner of the second men’s quarterfinal of the day between Stefanos Tsitsipas and Carlos Alcaraz, but will not have face Djokovic, whose right knee injury means No. 7 seed Casper Ruud advances into a third straight semifinal in Paris.

“It’s for sure not the way I wanted to become No. 1, with Novak retiring, but in another way, the last period I’ve played some really good tennis and I’m happy to be in the position. It’s something new coming up for me and something good, so I’m very happy.”