Italian fans are ready for Jannik Sinner's debut at the Nitto ATP Finals. The world number 1 will face Alex de Minaur in today's second match, in which he will be a clear favorite against the Australian ace. Alex has had a very consistent 2024 season and deserved to qualify for the ATP Finals, but he doesn't seem to have the right weapons to be able to put Jannik in trouble.
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Their rivalry has been dominated by the Italian player so far, who lost just one set in Sofia four years ago. Sinner and de Minaur faced each other in the first part of the season in the final of Rotterdam ATP 500, in which the Australian played an excellent match but still lost in straight sets.
The 23-year-old from Sesto Pusteria - who will be awarded by ATP chairman Andrea Gaudenzi tomorrow for ending the year at the top of the ATP rankings - has suffered only six defeats in all of 2024 and is considered the great favorite to lift the trophy next Sunday. The 2-time Grand Slam champion has been practicing in Turin for a week and has adapted very well to the surface, which is slower than last year. The world No. 1 who has participated in several activities in recent days has been placed in the same group as Daniil Medvedev, Taylor Fritz and Alex de Minaur.
Sinnerhas suffered a lot
Despite his excellent season, Jannik has suffered a lot in recent months due to the doping case. The world No. 1 proved his innocence at the end of a lengthy trial and ITIA acknowledged that he was not at fault, but WADA decided to appeal the acquittal. During a long interview with Esquire UK, Sinner recalled the terrible moment when he found out he had tested positive: "I was in my flat in Monte Carlo. Alex calls me and says, 'Jannik you are positive.' And I say, 'Yes Alex, I am always positive.' 'No, you are positive for doping.' I had a moment of total blank. I didn't know what to say. Nothing was coming out of me. I immediately tried to understand how this could have happened, because I did absolutely nothing. I didn't even want to believe it. I felt lost. Even now, I don't understand it.
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Despite the issues off the tennis court, the Italian ace continued to improve his game and achieve impressive results. Jannik is much more complete than a year or two ago, his serve has become a very dangerous weapon and he has an incredible ability to play pressure points.
In an interview with Il Corriere della Sera, his coach Darren Cahill praised Sinners ability to process new information: The ability to process information and transform it into actions. The ability to learn quickly. There are conservative players who dont like to change their tennis for fear of taking steps backwards. Jannik is the opposite: he is not afraid of losing a couple of matches in an attempt to improve his game. In this environment, believe me, it is rare. His superpower is not being afraid of improving.
Today he knows how to play in 5-6 different ways, he knows how to close the point with the serve, at the net, playing on the line and behind the line, he knows how to use the drop short, the slice, the back. He doesnt just know how to hit hard: he knows how to do it intelligently.
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In 2025, the Italian champion will try to achieve even better results than this year. Sinner will have to defend his title at the Australian Open next January, before knowing his fate. If he is not disqualified, his main goals will be the French Open and the Wimbledon Championships. This year he was defeated by Carlos Alcaraz in the Roland Garros semifinal and by Daniil Medvedev in the quarterfinals at Church Road.
Brad Stine onAlcaraz and Sinner
Many insiders claim that Sinner and Alcaraz are destined to dominate the men's tour for over a decade. Jannik has won two Grand Slam titles so far, while Carlitos has clinched four Major titles. Fans wonder if both can aspire to break Novak Djokovic's all-time record. Brad Stine Tommy Pauls coach - tried to answer this question: Will Jannik Sinner, Carlos Alcaraz, those guys be able to surpass the number of slams that these guys have won, that the big three have won? Man, I wouldnt bet a nickel on that.
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Its such a long period of time for them to be able to dominate the game at that level, and win that many titles. Obviously I think those guys are going to be multiple slam winners theres no doubt about it, I mean they already are. But are they going to be able to get to the 15 number to the 20 number, to the 25 number? I wouldnt bet on that at all.
