ATP star picks Jannik Sinner as the best player he has ever faced over Novak Djokovic
Tomas Machac has named Jannik Sinner as the best player he has ever faced as he described his encounter with the Italian as “something special.”
The world No 50, who has also played against tennis legend Novak Djokovic, reflected that his defeat to Sinner was important because of the insight he gained into the challenge of facing elite players.
In the quarter-finals of the 2024 Miami Open in March, Machac fell to a 4-6, 2-6 loss to eventual champion Sinner in the pair’s only meeting.
The 23-year-old faced off with Djokovic in the first round of the 2023 Dubai Tennis Championships, where he succumbed to a narrow 3-6, 6-3, 6-7(1) defeat. This is the only time he has played the world No 1 and 24-time Grand Slam champion to date.
Shot of the year contender ?!?
Machac can’t quite believe it, world No.1 Djokovic certainly appreciated it @DDFTennis | #DDFTennis pic.twitter.com/bqCBbB6S7v
— ATP Tour (@atptour) February 28, 2023
Sinner has been the outstanding player on the ATP Tour so far this year, having compiled a stunning 27-2 record before his Madrid Open last 16 clash with Karen Khachanov on Tuesday.
The 22-year-old Italian, who is currently at a career-high ranking of world No 2, has won three titles in 2024, including his maiden Grand Slam at the Australian Open in January.
READ MORE: Jannik Sinner could be crowned as world No 1 at the perfect location
In an interview with Punto De Break during the Madrid Open, Machac addressed his duel with Sinner in Miami last month.
“It was something special, that’s for sure. It was an important match for me because it allowed me to realise the speed at which the best in the world play and what level of precision you have to reach to be able to compete with them,” said the Czech.
WIZARDRY IN THE MAGIC CITY
A flick of @janniksin‘s wrist brings ’em to their feet at #MiamiOpen! pic.twitter.com/ApbbLCcI3t
— Tennis TV (@TennisTV) March 27, 2024
“He is the best tennis player I have ever faced. I was able to put up a good fight in the first set, but then he passed me by. I get very positive things from that game, it made me learn a lot and work harder to shorten that distance.”
When asked about his objectives for the 2024 season, Machac answered: “I don’t want to put pressure on myself to create specific expectations.
“I simply seek to be a better tennis player every day, to find a way to continually progress and acquire that rhythm that allows me to dominate the matches and be the one who dictates what is played.”
