How Great Can Jannik Sinner Become?
Jannik Sinner is the undisputed world No. 1 in men’s tennis after an incredible 12 months in which he has claimed three Grand Slams, numerous ATP tournaments, and two Davis Cups with Italy.
It has been a monumental rise for the 23-year-old Italian who was always earmarked as a star of the future. Whereas his most immediate Next Gen rival, Carlos Alcaraz, got four Grand Slams on the board by age 21, Sinner had to be a little more patient in getting his breakthrough at the very top of the game.
Dominance Over Djokovic Started Major Belief
His Slam potential started to shine through at the end of 2023 when he beat Novak Djokovic in the group stage of the ATP finals in Turin. Although Italy’s great hope lost the trophy to the Serb in the rematch, something had been triggered.
Sinner truly believed he could compete with the 24-Slam winner just a week later when he returned from 0-40 and 4-5 down in the final set of the Davis Cup semi-final against Serbia. Djokovic looked stunned to have not completed the job, and Sinner showed on that day that he could outlast and beat the most brutal rival under the most severe pressure.
Once he realized he could beat the very best, the 6 foot 2 inch Italian took his game to new levels by increasing the efficiency of all parts of his game, including his service. The most obvious example was at Melbourne at the beginning of 2024, a venue Djokovic owned by winning 10 times. In the semi-final, Sinner dominated from the outset and didn’t face a break point against the most ruthless man when the door was slightly ajar. The first two sets were won 6-1, 6-2.
After the match, the Serb said something pertinent. “He was always very calm and composed on the court, but I think he struggled maybe to win the big matches in the big moments. But now it’s coming together for him.”
Sinner Only Has Alcaraz As A Big Rival If Djokovic Fades
Sinner proved Djokovic right in the final against Daniil Medvedev; the sky is now the limit. There is no ceiling to what the current ATP Player of the Year can achieve, having won three of the last five Slams. The typical sportsbook will reflect that his retention of the Melbourne title was so ruthless in its execution. His opponent, Alexander Zverev, is ranked No.2 and openly admitted he was nowhere near good enough to compete in a straight sets defeat.
Sinner will surely fancy his chances of adding Wimbledon to his list of 2025 goals, as he went out to Medvedev last year only when struggling with ill health.
Sinner has publicly said he likes to “dance in the pressure storm.” Whatever the pressure, he is now embracing it rather than struggling to play through it.
Sinner Couldn’t Stop Winning in 2024
The Monte Carlo resident is now rolling in cash, confidence, and titles. His 2024 record of 73 wins and six losses was way ahead of everyone’s, as he claimed another big one at Flushing Meadows. The only person who stopped him from claiming more glory was Alcaraz at the French Open semis, the China Open, and Indian Wells. If he can also crack the code against the Spaniard, then there’s a real chance they will share the vast majority of the four slams in the next decade.
Sinner’s speed and spin on the forehand is brutal, and his backhand is as potent, if not more, than Djokovic’s. “Jannik hits a faster ball than Novak. He doesn’t let you breathe. With Novak, you can play rallies,” said Casper Ruud
The only real obstacle to the Grand Slam charge 2025 is the doping hearing that WADA has called that could ban him for up to two years. This would disrupt his development and cost him crucial court time. Very few opponents out there can live with him at the moment. Alex de Minaur, Ben Shelton, and Zverev were destroyed in Australia, and even home favorite Taylor Fritz couldn’t land a blow on him in New York.
So Difficult To Compete With Sinner Let Alone Beat Him
Sinner’s ball-striking, serve efficiency, and ability to outlast opponents in long rallies are why he is so difficult to beat. Taking a set off him is proving problematic, as his recent winning streak of over 20 matches has proven. He was also the first No. 1 to win 47 out of the first 50 matches. As Djokovic fades from the scene and the business end of majors, the pathway to multiple Slams looks very promising.
