Does Jannik Sinner have a big point to prove in Australia?
To demonstrate his prowess, Jannik Sinner must “push” Novak Djokovic in the Australian Open in 2024 says one pundit.
Sinner has not a few pundits and critics who feel he is the man most likely to snatch the next first-time Grand Slam.
An announcer for The Tennis Podcast Matt Roberts recently expressed his desire to witness the Italian defeat the 24-time Grand Slam winner at the legendary Happy Slam.
He feels a clash between Djokovic and Sinner could bring the entire world to a standstill.
“I just think it would be fascinating and look it might be a disappointment, Novak might beat him in straight sets [but] I don’t think it would be, I would have high hopes,” Roberts said on The Tennis Podcast.
In November 2023, Sinner defeated Djokovic for the first time in the ATP Finals and the Davis Cup, respectively. But according to Roberts, in order for the World No 4 to win earn his flowers at the Australian Open, he must “push” the Serb.
“I want to know what the Davis Cup meant, I want to know what the ATP Finals last season meant you know when Jannik got those wins over Novak.
“There was a considerable step up in his level of performance, he was incredible in both of those matches saving three straight match points at the Davis Cup, doing to Novak we have not seen someone do before,” Roberts said.
“But there was always that question of, ‘Okay, I need to see it in a Slam’, and I want that data, I want to know whether Jannik Sinner can bring his best and push Novak truly on Novak’s favorite court in this world.
“Then we would have learned so much about Jannik.”
In their head-to-head record, Djokovic leads Jannik Sinner 4-2, a sizable advantage. Interestingly, he leads the Italian 2-0 in Grand Slam matches.
The Serb first encountered and defeated Sinner in the year 2021 at the Monte Carlo Masters. On the strength of five breaks of his opponent’s serve, he stormed to a 6-4, 6-2 victory. In the 2022 Wimbledon Championship quarterfinals, he defeated the 22-year-old for the second time.
The 24-time Grand Slam winner triumphed over Sinner once more in the London Major in 2023.
Most recently, Djokovic defeated his young rival in straight sets at the ATP Finals championship match. But a setback in Turin earlier in the season and a loss at the Davis Cup slightly set Djokovic back.
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