Jannik Sinner hasn’t lost a match in 2024 but the Italian has downplayed suggestions that he is “the one to beat” on the ATP Tour at the moment.
The 22-year-old’s unbeaten run stands at 15 as he has won 12 consecutive matches this season after following up his maiden Grand Slam title at the Australian Open with the Rotterdam Open trophy on Sunday.
He also won three matches en route to leading Italy to the 2023 Davis Cup title with his only losses in his last 35 matches coming against Ben Shelton at the Japan Open in October and against Novak Djokovic at the ATP Finals in November.
Sinner is no doubt feeling invincible, but he remained grounded when asked if he was currently the player to beat in men’s tennis.
“‘The one to beat’ is a big statement. I’m No 4 in the world for the moment,” he told Vanity Fair Italia before Sunday’s Rotterdam Open final.
“It’s certainly a good result, but now I still have to work, prepare for everything, because by now my opponents know me well, even my weaknesses. I’m one of those to beat, let’s say.”
READ MORE: How Jannik Sinner’s title run after maiden Grand Slam compares to Novak Djokovic, Rafael Nadal, Roger Federer
Asked about the other players who are “ones to beat”, he replied: “[Alexander] Zverev and [Daniil] Medvedev are playing very well. Carlos [Alcaraz] has already won two Slams and is two years younger than me. And then there is Nole [Novak Djokovic]. Nole is Nole.”
Italian great Nicola Pietrangeli described Sinner as a “complete tennis player” adding that he “has no weak points at the moment” following his title run at the season-opening Grand Slam at Melbourne Park.
But the rising star is refusing to get too far ahead of himself as he highlighted areas where he can improve.
“I can handle certain moments of difficulty even better, there is still a lot I can learn from my mistakes,” he said. “I’m playing well now, but slightly more difficult moments will come: it’s important to work now to face them prepared.”
Sinner climbed to No 3 in the world after his Rotterdam title to become the highest-ranked Italian men’s player in history.
As for predictions that he will rise to No 1 in the ATP Rankings at some point, he replied: “The future cannot be predicted. It is certainly a dream and we are working to get as close as possible.”
READ MORE: Carlos Alcaraz’s coach compares Jannik Sinner’s impact to emergence of Novak Djokovic
