Novak Djokovic has conceded that Jannik Sinner is a cut above him this season. The Italian has lost just one match all year and picked up three titles. It makes Sinner one of the favourites to lift the trophy at this week’s Monte-Carlo Masters, while Djokovic comes in without much form.

Djokovic will be back in action in Monte Carlo this week, almost a month after he crashed out in the third round of Indian Wells at the hands of lucky loser Luca Nardi. The world No. 1 has played just 11 matches this season and has an 8-3 record, failing to lift a trophy.

While the 24-time Grand Slam champion has barely competed, one of his young rivals has emerged as the man to beat in 2024. Sinner defeated Djokovic en route to his first Grand Slam title and followed it up by lifting titles in Rotterdam and Miami. His only loss this year came to Carlos Alcaraz in the Indian Wells semi-final.

And Djokovic has conceded that the 22-year-old is the best player right now, even though he remains the world No. 1. Ahead of the Monte-Carlo Masters, the Serb said: “Jannik is the best player in the world this year so far.

“He has had tremendous success. He has improved a lot. Overall his game, his serve, his movement and mentally he is always there.” Sinner’s strong run started at the end of 2023, when he lifted trophies in Beijing and Vienna, and helped Italy win the Davis Cup.

He also reached the final of the ATP Finals, losing to Djokovic. But he managed to beat the 98-time title winner in the group stage of the season-ending tournament and defeated him just days later during the Italy vs Serbia Davis Cup semi-final.

And Djokovic explained how Sinner had been able to become the best player of the year. “In the important matches the difference of Jannik in the past six months and before that is he is winning the big matches,” the 36-year-old explained.