Novak Djokovic rates Jannik Sinner as future No 1, saying ‘he possesses game to be next top player’
He is the current world No 1 so Novak Djokovic would know a thing or two about what it takes to get to the top of the rankings and he believes Jannik Sinner “has the potential to be a top player of the world”.
Sinner entered the world top 100 in October 2019, shortly before winning the biggest title of his career at the Next Gen ATP Finals in Milan.
He continued his steady climb in 2020 as he claimed his first win over a top 10 player in David Goffin at the start of the year while at the French Open he upset US Open runner-up Alexander Zverev in the fourth round.
The Italian broke into the world top 50 on the back of his Roland Garros display and many, including 17-time Grand Slam winner Djokovic, believe the 19-year-old is destined for greatness.
“I definitely see a lot of quality in the young players,” Djokovic said. “(Sinner) definitely possesses a game that is powerful and is with a lot of quality, and you can say he has the potential to be a top player of the world.
“Sinner is definitely, I would say, the leader of the guys younger than Zverev and [Stefanos] Tsitsipas, who I think by many experts’ opinions the next ‘top’ top player.”
Zverev and Tsitsipas have also long been touted as future greats, but they are yet to make their Grand Slam breakthroughs with the former coming closest at the US Open this year.
Djokovic feels it takes years to establish yourself as one of top players.
“Many things have to come together in a career and life of a tennis player in order for him to be able to find his best and maximise his potential and to thrive every single year,” he said.
“And to endure, because I think you have a much better chance to have a great Grand Slam or a great season. But can you endure for three, four, five, 10 years? Fifteen years?”
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