John McEnroe on Jannik Sinner: "One of the most talented players in recent years"
At just 18 years old, Jannik Sinner is the youngest player in the top 100 in the world rankings. John McEnroe sees the young Italian as a rough diamond who will soon be in the top 10.
by Michael Rothschädl
last edit: Jan 19, 2020, 10:11 am
It was a meteoric rise that 18-year-old Jannik Sinner made last season. The Italian started the season as number 553, and after the surprising victory in the next-gen ATP finals, Sinner suddenly found himself in 79th position in the world rankings. He is only the fifth U18 player to do so in the 2000s - and therefore part of a very elite club with names like Rafael Nadal, Novak Djokovic, Andy Murray and Denis Shapovalov. For this, Sinner was honored with the ATP Newcomer-of-the-Year Award last season.
At the latest after his victory in Milan at the next-gen finals, everyone was talking about Jannik Sinner. Now John McEnroe comments on the exceptional Italian talent: “Jannik is one of the most talented players I have seen in the past ten years. He is very talented physically and a rare talent. ” Nevertheless, McEnroe predicts the Italian will face a few difficult weeks: “ The players will make extra efforts against him because they don’t want to lose against an 18-year-old - he will have to struggle with that in the coming months In two or three seasons, McEnroe sees the 18-year-old in the top 10 in the world.
But active players also recognize a great talent in Jannik Sinner. The youngster at the Australian Open had the rare opportunity to train with both Rafael Nadal and Roger Federer. Sinner will face qualifier Max Purcell in the first round on Monday. After that, Denis Shapovalov could clash the two youngsters.