Andy Roddick compares Jannik Sinner to Roger Federer, Rafael Nadal and Novak Djokovic

Jannik Sinner’s dominant win in the Australian Open final against Alexander Zverev has sparked a debate over whether the world No 1 has taken the men’s game to a whole new level.
Sinner’s brutal 6-3, 7-6(4), 6-3 win over Zverev allowed him to defend his title in Melbourne with plenty to spare, with the Italian’s now in a league of his own on hard courts.
It inspired former world No 1 Roddick to suggest there are no weak spots in Sinner’s game, as he dared to compare him to Roger Federer, Rafael Nadal and Novak Djokovic.
The trio that have won 66 Grand Slam titles between them are the greatest male players in the history of the game, yet Roddick believes Sinner may be getting close to their level.
“Similar to the problems that Novak in his prime presented, Roger in his prime presented, Rafa on clay which was the toughest match-up in the history of sports, trying to beat him on clay,” he said on his latest Served podcast.
“You can’t really go through Sinner right now. He doesn’t give an inch. He can hit winners off both sides and he does what you do but like better.
“He didn’t always serve great, but now he is so consistent. He creates way more spin wide now.
“With Sinner, it’s like plugging something into an algorithm and everything comes out complete… and he’s adding more to his game.
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“You can’t go through him, can’t go around him. You have to account for someone being the best defensive world on a given day and a best offensive world on a given day.
“When you plug it in, he’s like a human version of the game pong. He’s doing the ski thing to you from side to side. It’s just impressive, I don’t know how to solve this.”
Sinner faces an uncertain few months as his dominance on the court could be brought to a halt by a long suspension from tennis after he failed two doping tests last year.
The World Anti-Doping Agency (WADA) are appealing against the decision not to ban Sinner after he tested positive for an anabolic steroid last March, with that hearing set to take place in mid-April.
“Right now, Sinner’s biggest opponent is WADA,” added Roddick.
Former Wimbledon champion Pat Cash also suggested Sinner is in a league of his own on a hard court, as he spoke to the BBC in Melbourne.
“Jannik Sinner is almost unbeatable on hard court,” said Cash.
“Didn’t he lose just one match last year on hard court or something like that? His record is ridiculous.
He is so quick, he can move around the court with ease, he can hit big powerful shots.
“It wasn’t a great match for spectators but he did what he needed to do. I think Sinner’s level was pulled down by Zverev’s performance.
“Alexander Zverev is a very good player so it is frustrating, but I think we have to reflect on how far he has come since ripping his ankle to pieces. That is one heck of an effort.
He has got himself back to where he was, after missing a lot of tennis, and has got himself up to speed very well. He has been in two Grand Slam finals, so what is the next step?
Perhaps he needs to finish points off, volley better and work on his forehand. That forehand just broke down today, like it has on so many occasions, so there are more areas to work on.”
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