Jannik Sinner labelled ‘the best player in the world’ by next opponent as he closes in on rare feat

Ewan West
Jannik Sinner in action in Rotterdam
Jannik Sinner celebrates

Tallon Griekspoor has described Jannik Sinner as “the best player in the world at the moment” ahead of his clash with the Australian Open champion in Rotterdam. 

The world No 29 asserted that he is not surprised by what Sinner is achieving as he feels the Italian star had shown he would be capable of winning Grand Slam titles.

Griekspoor, the Dutch No 1, will take on Sinner in his home country in the semi-finals of the ATP 500 tournament in Rotterdam on Saturday.

The 27-year-old has faced Sinner twice previously and lost both encounters in straight sets last year. The Dutchman lost 5-7, 6-7(5) to Sinner in a close battle at the same stage of the 2023 edition of the Rotterdam Open, before he fell 6-7(3), 1-6 to the Italian at the Davis Cup Finals in November.

Sinner has not lost since his victory over Griekspoor at the Davis Cup in Malaga, which started the 13-match winning streak he is currently on.

The world No 4, who won his maiden major title at the Australian Open last month, is looking to become the first player since Lleyton Hewitt in 2001 to win the next tournament after a first Grand Slam triumph.

READ MORE: Jannik Sinner out to end 23-year curse as he looks to achieve feat that eluded Djokovic, Nadal, Federer

Griekspoor reflected on his Davis Cup defeat to Sinner and argued the 22-year-old is currently the best player in the world ahead of pair’s semi-final showdown.

“I remember playing a good first set, there was a high level. In the tiebreak I had a mini break, but then he was better. In the second set, he raised the level exponentially,” the Dutchman told Ubitennis.

“No, I’m not surprised [by what Sinner is achieving], he has shown in recent years that he would be capable of winning Slams. For me he is the best player in the world at the moment.

“He is 21 (22) years old, he is No 3 (4) in the world and he has won 28 of the last 30 matches. He is the best player in the world at the moment.”

The two-time ATP title winner also admitted he would prefer to face someone other than Sinner in Rotterdam: “No, I would prefer someone else (laughs), losing to him in the semi-final is good but let’s see what happens.”

Griekspoor has defeated Lorenzo Musetti, Hubert Hurkacz and Emil Ruusuvuori to reach the last four in Rotterdam, while Sinner has overcome Botic van de Zandschulp, Gael Monfils and Milos Raonic — with the latter retiring in the second set due to an injury.

The winner of the semi-final matchup will face Alex de Minaur or Grigor Dimitrov in Sunday’s final. Sinner was a runner-up in Rotterdam last year, when he was defeated by Daniil Medvedev in three sets in the final.

READ MORE: Jannik Sinner’s two key wins that ‘made it clear he could win a Slam’ identified by major winner

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