Jannik Sinner backed to be ‘the next dominant force after Novak Djokovic’ by former major finalist
Former world No 4 Greg Rusedski has predicted that Australian Open champion Jannik Sinner will become “the next dominant force in men’s tennis” after Novak Djokovic retires.
The 1997 US Open runner-up described Sinner as “so mentally and physically strong” and highlighted the fact the Italian has a “great team of people around him.”
Sinner came back from two sets to love down to see off world No 3 Daniil Medvedev in the final of the 2024 Australian Open last week to claim his maiden Grand Slam title.
The world No 4 was competing in a championship match at a major for the first time in his career, with his previous best Grand Slam result his run to the semi-finals at Wimbledon last year.
The 22-year-old Italian stunned world No 1 and 24-time major champion Djokovic in four sets in the last four in Melbourne to end the Serbian legend’s 33-match winning streak at the event.
Sinner became the first player to defeat the 10-time Australian Open champion in Melbourne since Hyeon Chung in 2018 and the first player to ever beat Djokovic in an Australian Open semi-final.
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In a post on Twitter / X following Sinner’s triumph in Melbourne, Rusedski singled out Sinner as the ATP star he thinks will go on to dominate the men’s game.
“Jannik Sinner Australian Open Champion! Just keeps on improving,” the former British No 1 wrote.
Jannik Sinner Australian Open Champion! Just keeps on improving . After Novak calls it a day he looks like he will be the next dominant force in Men’s tennis . So mentally and physically strong . Great team of people around him as well ! Well done!👏👏👏👏
— Greg Rusedski (@GregRusedski1) January 28, 2024
“After Novak calls it a day he looks like he will be the next dominant force in Men’s tennis So mentally and physically strong. Great team of people around him as well ! Well done!”
Following Sinner’s first career win over Djokovic at the 2023 ATP Finals in Turin in November, Rusedski made a prediction involving Sinner, Carlos Alcaraz and Holger Rune.
“The best match I have ever seen Jannik Sinner play, from start to finish last night. In five years time, who will the top 3 in the world be? I think it will be 1. Sinner, 2. Alcaraz, 3. Rune,” the British-Canadian posted on Twitter.
Rusedski won 15 ATP titles, including the Paris Masters, before his retirement in 2007.
Paul McNamee, a former world No 1 and four-time major winner in men’s doubles, argued Sinner was now part of a new ‘Big Three’ following his Grand Slam breakthrough.
“Congrats to Jannik Sinner & his team on securing the first of many Slams, from two sets down. He officially joins Djokovic & Alcaraz as a member of the new Big Three,” the Australian wrote on Twitter.
“Hats off to Daniil Medvedev on a gallant 24 hours plus fight, a Grand Slam record. Some final. Some tournament.”
