Jannik Sinner achieves unique record neither Novak Djokovic nor Rafael Nadal have accomplished after Shanghai Masters 2024 win

Jannik Sinner’s incredible season continues to hit new heights, with his latest triumph coming at the Shanghai Masters. The Italian World No. 1 defeated record champion Novak Djokovic 7-6(4), 6-3 to claim his seventh title of the year and a record sixth on hard courts.

Sinner's success in Shanghai also places him in elite company, making him the fifth player aged 23 or younger in the Open Era to win six or more hardcourt titles in a single season—a feat neither Novak Djokovic nor Rafael Nadal achieved.

Jannik Sinner's breakthrough began with his Australian Open triumph at the start of the year, and he has since gone on to win titles in Rotterdam, Miami, Halle, Cincinnati, the US Open, and now Shanghai.

Djokovic first won six hardcourt titles in a single calendar year during his historic 2011 season, claiming trophies at the Australian Open, Dubai, Indian Wells, Miami, Montreal, and the US Open, along with victories at Wimbledon, Rome, and Madrid for a total of 10 titles that year.

Nadal, on the other hand, has never won more than four hardcourt titles in a single season, with his best showing coming in 2013 when he won in Indian Wells, Cincinnati, Montreal, and the US Open.

Sinner joins tennis legends Jimmy Connors, Ivan Lendl, Pete Sampras, and Roger Federer to win six or more hardcourt titles in a single season whilst being 23 or younger. Connors was the first to achieve this in 1973, when he won six of his 11 titles on hard courts. Lendl matched the feat in 1981, also winning six hardcourt titles out of 10 total.

Sampras joined the list in 1994, with six of his 10 titles coming on hard courts, while Federer was the most recent to do so in 2004, winning seven hardcourt titles out of his 11 that season, including both the Australian Open and US Open.

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Jannik Sinner becomes youngest champion in Shanghai

Jannik Sinner in action at the 2024 Shanghai Masters (Picture: Getty)

Jannik Sinner made history at the Shanghai Masters, becoming the youngest champion in the tournament's 13-year history after defeating four-time winner Novak Djokovic in the final on Sunday, October 13.

Sinner dominated from start to finish, firing eight aces and 22 winners, while not facing a single break point during the match.

With the triumph, he became the first Italian to win the Shanghai title. The victory also guarantees him the year-end No. 1 ranking, a career-first, as he extends his reign at the top of the ATP rankings for an 18th consecutive week.

Previously, the youngest champion in Shanghai was Andy Murray, who won the title in 2010 at 23 years, five months, and two days. Daniil Medvedev also claimed the crown as a 23-year-old in 2019, but he was six months older than Murray at the time of his victory.

Sinner, at 23 years, two months, and four days old, has now become the youngest champion to claim the crown.