Ricardo Piatti about Jannik Sinner: "I want him to learn from the big stars"
Ricardo Piatti spoke to La Gazzetta dello Sport about the current training plan of his protégé, Jannik Sinner, and explained how the youngster should improve in the future.
by Michael Rothschädl
last edit: Jun 26, 2020, 07:25 am
John McEnroe already stated earlier this year that Jannik Sinner has a very special talent . The Italian shooting star has been on the lists with the most promising players for the future since last season, celebrating some respectable successes after his victory in the next-gen ATP finals, such as the victory over David Goffin at the ATP 500 event in Rotterdam.
For a long time, the training of the 18-year-old South Tyrolean was not at all to compete with the very big ones in the tennis world. "Until three years ago, Jannik only trained three times a week," explains his current coach, Ricardo Piatti. Of course, he has learned a lot since then, but Sinner still has a lot of work to do in sport. Work that the youngster is ready to do, as Piatti emphasizes in an interview with La Gazetta della Sport : "Jannik lives for his sport. It is not a burden for him," said the Italian.
This dedication is the most important thing if the young Italian wants to become a big star in the sport soon, Piatti emphasizes. "He is the strongest young player I have ever trained"; The coach in no way saves praise for his protégé. Praise that Sinner also received from the great dominators of the sport, such as Rafael Nadal or Roger Federer, when they did joint training sessions with the Italian.
Training with Tsitsipas and Zverev
Of course, praise from such players is a motivational kick, but the most important thing in the joint training sessions is to contribute to the growth of the player Jannik SInner, as Piatti emphasizes. "I want Jannik to learn from these big stars. Before the restart of the season, Sinner trained with Stefanos Tsitsipas and Alexei Popyrin, two young players that Sinner will often meet in the future. He also trained with Alexander Zverev and Stan Wawrinka in Monte- Carlo, "explains the Italian.
These training sessions were also about simulating match situations, as this is particularly important in this non-game time. "I want Sinner to learn how big stars deal with the most important moments of the game. Only through training with them will Sinner have the chance to improve further," Piatti is convinced. In order to intensify this training with the greats of the sport , Piatti also has regular contact with Carlos Moya, plans to arrange more frequent training sessions between Nadal and Sinner.
"I have already spoken to Carlos Moya and we will arrange further opportunities in the future. I want Sinner to have the chance to learn how Rafa is tackling the problems on the pitch," said Piatti, for whom the mental strength of the dominating athletes is something that his protégé could learn from.
Another man who is to give Jannik Sinner valuable tips on his way to the top is that John McEnroe, who was full of enthusiasm for the 18-year-old earlier this year. "When we are in the United States, we will meet John. He is a very smart person. Meeting him will be very useful for Jannik's personality. He will give important advice not only for his tennis career but also for his life "states Piatti.