The image of Sinner vomiting into a wheelie bin by the side of the court is not one many would expect to mark the start of a new reign of dominance in men’s tennis.

But that image, as he battled illness at the China Open in October 2023, has become synonymous with the moment Sinner evolved into a serial title winner.

He would go on to win that match. And that tournament. And most matches he has contested in the 15 months since.

From the start of that tournament in Beijing, Sinner’s record is 98 wins and just nine defeats – and three of those losses were against four-time Grand Slam champion and rival Carlos Alcaraz.

Sinner replaced Novak Djokovic as world number one in June 2024 and since then has won a record-equalling 47 of his first 50 matches as the top ranked men’s player, matching Bjorn Borg and Jimmy Connors.

He also has a 30-2 record at Slams since winning his first Melbourne title 12 months ago.

Cash said: “Sinner and Alcaraz are so far ahead of everybody else.

“Until other young guys come through it is a two-horse race. We saw that for a while with Roger Federer and Rafael Nadal, then [came] Andy Murray, Djokovic and Stan Wawrinka.

“Things can change really quickly, but as of now it’s a one-horse or two-horse race for the Grand Slams.”