Jannik Sinner
Looking Back: Sinner’s inaugural ATP Tour victory & his lasting impact… beyond the court
The Italian prodigy had a defining year in 2019
April 24, 2026
Peter Bor/Hungarian Tennis Association
Jannik Sinner notched his first ATP Tour victory in Budapest back in 2019.
By Arthur Kapetanakis
Five years prior to his membership in the exclusive ATP No. 1 Club in 2024, Jannik Sinner embarked on a remarkable journey up the PIF ATP Rankings, highlighted by a breakout season in 2019 filled with game-changing accomplishments.
Sinner’s journey began in February with his first professional singles title at an ATP Challenger event in Bergamo, Italy. This victory ignited a dazzling 16-match winning streak, during which he claimed three titles across Challenger and ITF circuits — a streak halted only by none other than Carlos Alcaraz in April in Alicante.
Later that same month, at just 17 years old, Sinner achieved another milestone: After securing a qualifying wildcard for the Budapest ATP 250 and advancing into the main draw as a lucky loser, he clinched his inaugural ATP Tour match victory on April 24 against former junior World No. 1, Mate Valkusz.
With a stunning cross-court forehand winner, he triumphed in a gripping contest that ended 6-2, 0-6, 6-4. Sinner’s calm reaction upon winning, a brief glance at his coaching team, hinted at the cool under pressure demeanor that would propel him to the top of the PIF ATP Rankings.
“It was an incredible first-round match with the balls flying off their racquets,” noted tournament director Attila Richter, who had awarded Sinner the wildcard. “Jannik not only secured his first wild card into a Tour event but also marked the occasion with his first Tour match win in Budapest in 2019.”
Yet, beyond his immense talent on the court, it was Sinner’s off-court kindness that truly impressed Richter. Following a defeat to Laslo Djere in the second round, the 17-year-old requested a moment with Richter. While the tournament director tended to other commitments, Sinner waited patiently for an hour and a half, luggage in hand, just to express his gratitude for the wildcard.
“This interaction gave me a glimpse not only of his tennis prowess but also his character, a genuinely nice person with excellent upbringing and manners,” Richter reflected. “I thought to myself, ‘If he becomes a great player, he’ll undoubtedly be a superstar’ because of his incredible personality.”
After Budapest, Sinner’s trail of achievements only grew. In May, he celebrated his first ATP Masters 1000 win against Steven Johnson in Rome, and made waves at the US Open, where he qualified and faced Stan Wawrinka in a tough first-round match that ended in four sets.
Wrapping up the 2019 season with a bang, Sinner clinched the Next Gen ATP Finals title in Milan, taking down Alex de Minaur in a thrilling final. By the end of the year, he landed at No. 78 in the PIF ATP Rankings, a remarkable ascent from No. 551 at the year’s start.
