Jannik Sinner ‘fear factor’ revealed by six-time Grand Slam champion
Jannik Sinner brings a fear factor onto the court that intimidates his opponents, according to Netherlands Davis Cup captain Paul Haarhuis.
Six-time Grand Slam champion Haarhuis led his Netherlands team into action in last year’s Davis Cup Final 8 in Malaga and he admits his heart sank a little the moment Sinner confirmed he would line up for Italy in the biggest team event in tennis.
Sinner was starting to emerge as a major contender for the game’s biggest prizes last November, with his win against world No 1 Novak Djokovic at the ATP Finals the week before the Davis Cup Finals confirming he was starting to emerge as a Grand Slam champion in the making.
He went on to confirm his potential by leading his nation to Davis Cup glory in Malaga, recording another crucial singles win against Djokovic that was pivotal to Italy’s triumph.
Sinner then won the first Grand Slam title of his career at the Australian Open in January and backed that up with wins at the Rottenham Open and Miami Open in a dominant start to the year.
A hip injury is threatening to derail Sinner’s momentum and end his hopes of competing in the upcoming French Open, yet former world No 1 doubles player Haarhuis is convinced the 22-year-old will win multiple major titles after his impressive rise over the last 12 months.
Speaking exclusively to Tennis365 as he prepares to host coaching clinics at the Verdura Resort in Sicily over the course of this year, six-time Grand Slam doubles champion Haarhuis admitted the presence of Sinner in Malaga last November was a hammer blow to his Netherlands team as they lost in the quarter-finals against Italy.
“We played Italy in the Davis Cup Finals last year and the minute I saw Sinner landing in Malaga, I knew this was not good for us,” recalled Haarhuis, speaking exclusively to Tennis365.
“When you play a long season and you have a big run at the ATP Finals, you think as a captain of the opposition team, maybe he won’t turn up. Just stay at home man! Get ready for next year.
“To get to the quarter-finals was great for us because we are not a powerhouse tennis nation and the plan was to win one of the singles matches and then try to win the doubles.
READ MORE: Jannik Sinner may be facing an extended break from tennis as French Open decision looms
“The trouble was, Sinner was just so on fire. He brought Lorenzo Sonego to such a level in the doubles that they were hard to beat.
“We knew that Sonego would be under pressure. If Italy lost, no one would blame Sinner and it would all be down to Sonego, but he just played at an unbelievable level and stayed at that level as he was trying to keep up with Sinner. It was an amazing performance from both of them.
“Now we are back in a group with Italy, Brazil and Belgium (for the Davis Cup Finals Group Stage) in September and maybe Sinner plays again.”
Haarhuis believes Sinner’s composed temperament is one of his best qualities, as he suggests that is unusual for a player hailing from a nation that often produces more explosive players.
“For an Italian, Sinner has a coolness we don’t normally see,” he added.
“The Italian players are often dramatic like they are in a theatre and they are going to take the lead role. Someone like Fabio Foggini did this and it was great, you get the popcorn and watch his match.
“Sinner is the German/Italian who just goes about his business and doesn’t look to get a lot of attention.
“His decision, his shot selection and everything about his game is so wonderful to watch. He is such a great player already.
“I love how humble he stays, how nice he is. He says hello to everybody, I love that from him. He is a great guy.
“With Sinner and Carlos Alcaraz coming along, it feels to me like tennis is in a great place for many years to come.”
Former world No 1 doubles player Paul Haarhuis and eight-time singles winner Francisco Clavet are just two of the big names who are set to deliver a series of exclusive tennis clinics at Sicily’s Verdura Resort in 2024.
