Jannik Sinner dominance sparks ‘boring’ claim as Italian icon slams world No 1’s ATP Finals rivals
Italian tennis legend Adriano Panatta labelled Jannik Sinner’s opening win at the 2024 ATP Finals “boring” as he criticised his fellow countryman’s competitors.
The former French Open champion admitted he feels like changing the TV channel during some Sinner matches because most players “seem to have absolutely no idea how to beat him.”
Sinner earned a convincing 6-3, 6-4 victory against world No 9 Alex de Minaur in his first round robin match at the ATP Finals in Turin on Sunday.
After losing his serve in the third game, Sinner broke the Australian three times and did not face another break point in a strong performance.
The world No 1 will take on fifth-ranked Taylor Fritz in his second match before a showdown with No 4 seed Daniil Medvedev in his final group stage encounter.
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Sinner, who was a runner-up a the 2023 ATP Finals, is a strong favourite to secure his maiden year-end championships crown this year.
The 23-year-old has won seven titles, including the Australian Open and the US Open, during a dominant 2024 season.
Speaking on Italian show La Domenica Sportiva, Panatta lamented the Sinner-de Minaur match and expressed his hope for a clash between the Italian and Carlos Alcaraz in the Turin final.
“Sinner played a normal and routine match and that was enough for him. It’s boring,” the Italian argued.
“At the moment, Jannik can only lose against [Carlos] Alcaraz or maybe [Novak] Djokovic.
“He can stumble against [Alexander] Zverev, but that won’t happen to him against [Daniil] Medvedev.
“They seem to have absolutely no idea how to beat him. They’re already starting to lose.
“I almost want to change the channel because the outcome is so predictable.
“I hope there will be a final between Alcaraz and Sinner. That would be the only really hard-fought match of this tournament.”
The former world No 4 also claimed Sinner does not feel pressure and declared his compatriot has a unique attitude.
“Does he feel pressure? Never,” Panatta added. “He doesn’t even feel his blood pressure. It must be high 100 and low 70.
“But in terms of attitude on the pitch, I have never seen anyone like him. And he makes no mistakes, neither on nor off the pitch.”
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