Jannik Sinner: In Miami on the trail of Agassi, Nadal and Djokovic
The Italian Jannik Sinner is still unstoppable on his way to the top. In Miami he is now in his first 1000 finals - at only 19 years old.
by Florian Goosmann
last edit: Apr 03, 2021, 03:10 pm
"One game turned the match a bit," said Jannik Sinner, looking back. It was 5: 7 and 3: 3 and 0:40 against him in the semi-finals in Miami against Roberto Bautista Agut, when he had to fend off a total of four break chances. "Some points can decide a match and give you a little more strength. The game was probably important."
In the end it was 5: 7, 6: 4, 6: 4 for the 19-year-old , who made it into his first Masters final and continues to amaze the tennis world. And joins a number of legends in Miami: in the 36-year history of the tournament, only Andre Agassi (1990), Rafael Nadal (2005) and Novak Djokovic (2007) have made it to the finals as teenagers come. Agassi and Djokovic then also won the title, Agassi against Edberg, Djokovic against Canas, Nadal lost against Federer.
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Sinner: "It's a long way to the big names"
"It feels great, of course," says Sinner, referring to the comparison with Agassi, Nadal and Djokovic, "but as I always say: I'm only 19. The way to these big names is a long one. A tournament is not enough. it's a long process. "
Sinner has the opportunity to win his second title of the year after one of the Melbourne tournaments in February. And of course its by far the largest. His rise is remarkable: two years ago he was still number 322 in the world, currently he is number 31, in the live ranking he is already number 21. If he won a tournament he would be number 14.
He attributes his work ethic to his parents , father Johann, a cook, and mother Siglinde, a waitress. "You work in a simple job every day. You know what it means to work hard. You gave me this attitude, to do my best every day and not to lose too much energy."
Keyword energy: Sinner can charge its own batteries for at least one day - on Sunday it’s then in the final against his part-time doubles partner, Hubert Hurkacz. Who also seems to be a Sinner fan: Sinner is "a great person" , Hurkacz praised his final opponent after his victory over Andrey Rublev.