Jannik Sinner ‘has everything to become No 1 in the world’
Jannik Sinner has all the right tools to become No 1 in the ATP Rankings, but there are still several areas that the rising star needs to improve, according to his coach Darren Cahill.
The Italian was touted for big things on the back of a brilliant breakthrough campaign in 2020 with Novak Djokovic saying back in 2021 that “he has the potential to be a top player of the world”.
Sinner rose to a career-high No 9 in the rankings in 2021 and he has been a hovering between the top 10 and top 20 for the past year.
Last year he reached the quarter-final of three Grand Slams and won the Croatia Open, defeating world No 1 Carlos Alcaraz in the final while this year he has already won the Open Sud de France and finished runner-up at the Rotterdam Open.
But it is all about kicking on with Cahill, who has coached the likes of Lleyton Hewitt and Simona Halep, saying he can reach the very top in the rankings.
“Jannik has everything to become No 1 in the world. Before my arrival he was already a great player, among the top 10 in the rankings: he has incredible weapons and was well trained,” he told La Repubblica.
He added: “Now we need to watch his matches against the best tennis players around and understand what’s keeping him from beating them. Then work on it. It definitely takes time, a couple of years and many match situations.”
Cahill joined Sinner’s coaching set-up in 2022 and he admits that there areas that the 21-year-old needs to work on if he is to realise his full potential, but adds that it is important for the youngster to stick to his core assets.
“He can improve his serve, his transition game, he can be dominant from the baseline. But the most important thing, when you train great players, is to keep improving their strengths,” he said.
“Jannik moves incredibly well, so we spend a lot of time on that aspect. It’s great to see how he’s so willing to try new things and try to improve, as long as you don’t stray too far from the type of player he is.
“It also takes a bit of luck. Being in the right place at the right time. The results come because the champions are not only in the mind, but also in the heart.”
READ MORE: Jannik Sinner has ‘complete’ game to reach top, but needs to work on one big flaw
Latest
-
WTA Tour
WTA Rankings: Dominant Iga Swiatek practically assured of big feat ahead of Roland Garros
This way for your post-Indian Wells WTA Rankings.
-
Tennis News
Andy Murray makes retirement uncertainty confession as he also opens up about one of his toughest losses
“I would want to be there by right,” says Andy Murray.
-
ATP Tour
ATP Rankings: Novak Djokovic 7.997 years at No 1, Carlos Alcaraz holds off Jannik Sinner, Luca Nardi +27
This way for your latest ATP Rankings.
-
Tennis Videos
WATCH: Carlos Alcaraz on THAT point against Daniil Medvedev – ‘Something happened to my feet’
“Points like this one give me extra motivation to put a smile on my face.”
-
WTA Tour
‘Pretty proud’ Iga Swiatek opens up about ‘being the target of many players’
“It was pretty crazy. I’m pretty proud of the way I adapted to all these challenges that I had to face.”
-
ATP Tour
Carlos Alcaraz makes brutally honest injury confession after sparkling Indian Wells win
Carlos Alcaraz opened up on the problem after he got his hands on the Indian Wells title once again.
-
ATP Tour
Carlos Alcaraz eyeing up Novak Djokovic’s world No 1 spot after stunning Indian Wells win
Alcaraz may have to be patient for his chance to become world No 1 once again.
-
WTA Tour
Emma Raducanu gets kind Miami Open draw as Simona Halep lands blockbuster
Emma Raducanu could be set for a big rankings leap if she can find some wins over the next few months.
-
WTA Tour
Martina Navratilova compares Iga Swiatek to a tennis icon and finds her weak spot
Swiatek continues to re-write the history books with her relentless success and she set more records in Indian Wells.
-
WTA Tour
Iga Swiatek is ‘bagel queen’ again as she sets stunning records with Indian Wells win
Swiatek now has the most titles after her first 23 WTA level finals in the Open Era.