Jannik Sinner Hits Masters Milestone and Ranking Peak While Kei Nishikori Announces Emotional Retirement

Jannik Sinner breaks 14,000 points and chases Novak Djokovic’s record, while Kei Nishikori confirms his 2026 retirement. Get the full Tennis365 round-up here.

By: AXL Media

Published: May 2, 2026, 3:41 AM EDT

Source: Information for this report was sourced from Tennis365

Sinner Chases Djokovic’s Masters Record

The dominance of world number one Jannik Sinner reached new heights this week as he secured a place in his first Madrid Open final. By defeating Arthur Fils in straight sets, Sinner extended his winning streak in ATP Masters 1000 tournaments to 27 matches—a run that began at the end of the 2025 season. He is now just four wins shy of the all-time record of 31 consecutive Masters victories held by Novak Djokovic. This level of consistency across the tour's most prestigious events has solidified his position at the summit of the game, with many analysts predicting he will be the heavy favorite for the upcoming French Open.

A Historic Breakthrough in Ranking Points

Sinner’s progress in Madrid has translated into a historic rankings achievement. Upon the update of the ATP standings on Monday, the Italian will officially surpass 14,000 ranking points for the first time in his career. This milestone moves him closer to the all-time record set by Novak Djokovic in 2016, who reached a peak of 16,950 points. Should Sinner secure the title in the Spanish capital and continue his current trajectory through the Italian Open and Roland Garros, he will be within striking distance of becoming the most statistically dominant world number one in the history of the current points system.

Kei Nishikori Announces 2026 Retirement

In a moving statement that has resonated across the global tennis community, Kei Nishikori announced that the 2026 season will be his last as a professional player. The Japanese legend, who was the first Asian man to reach a Grand Slam singles final and a mainstay in the world's top 10, expressed deep pride in his career. Nishikori noted that while his passion for the sport remains undiminished, the time has come to step away. He reflected on his journey from a child with a dream to competing on the world’s biggest stages, stating that he can "proudly say he gave it his all" despite the physical challenges that have impacted his later years.