Jannik Sinner ‘unexciting style of play’ critics slammed by former top-20 star
Critics of Jannik Sinner’s style of play have been told that they have “probably never picked up a racket” by the Italian’s compatriot, Martina Trevisan.
Sinner has developed into one of the most formidable and dominant tennis players of his generation, with 58 straight weeks as the world No 1 since rising to the top of the ATP Rankings last June.
The Italian became the first man from his nation to triumph at Wimbledon last weekend, and has now won four of the last seven Grand Slam tournaments contested.
Part of Sinner’s success is due to the rivalry he has developed with former world No 1 and five-time Grand Slam winner Carlos Alcaraz, with the pair pushing each other to new heights.
The two have contrasting styles of play at times, with Sinner more reliant on dominance from the baseline, while his Spanish rival employs a varied range of shots.
However, former WTA world No 18 Trevisan has claimed it is unfair to accuse the world No 1 of having an “unexciting style” of play.
In an interview with Fanpage, the 2022 French Open semi-finalist described Sinner as an “extraordinary guy” and claimed his game was a “joy” to watch.
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“He’s an extraordinary guy, and you can’t help but root for him, for the clean, sharp tennis he displays every time,” said Trevisan.
“Anyone who accuses him of having an unexciting style of play has probably never picked up a racket, because watching Jannik play, recognising how he makes even the most complex movements appear simple, is a joy for the eyes and the heart.
“And I’m not just saying this as a fan, but also as a professional who knows how certain backhand down-the-line shots are a slap in the face of the laws of physics.”
Sinner’s Wimbledon triumph, in which he beat Alcaraz in the final, came just five weeks after the Italian suffered a heartbreaking French Open final defeat to the same opponent.
The world No 1 had led by two sets and held three championship points in the fourth set, only to fail to convert them, get broken serving for the match in the following game, and then taste defeat.
Many have praised Sinner’s turnaround between the two finals, overcoming a five-match losing streak against Alcaraz to triumph inside Centre Court.
And Trevisan has become the latest to recognise what she called the 23-year-old’s “capacity” to move on from Roland Garros disappointment.
She added: “Sport, any sport, at high levels is 80% mental.
“The final result often depends on how focused and determined you are, how much you manage to stay steady in the decisive point.
“In the case of the Paris defeat, after three match points, Jannik demonstrated a capacity for recovery and resilience that I think should be studied in every tennis academy, indeed in every school.”
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