(Provided by Tennis World USA)
Jannik Sinner reached the semifinals of a Grand Slam tournament at Wimbledon for the first time in his career. Only Novak Djokovic has put an end to the path of the Italian on the lawns of the All England Club, in the last two years.In 2022, the Serbian needed to complete a complicated comeback in the fifth set; while last Friday he finished with the score of 6-3, 6-4, 7-6 (4).
Speaking to Sky Sport, Sinner revealed that he feels even closer to the best tennis players on the circuit and that he has made significant improvements.He told: “Last year it was a different match. Djokovic gave me something in the first two sets, but I didn’t have a chance to start from the third.
This year, however, I had a few chances. Mentally I improved. I think I played better this year. I learn quite quickly and will show it in the future. I feel closer to the best in the world.”
Riccardo Piatti: “Sinner is close to Djokovic”
Riccardo Piatti, former coach of Sinner, focused on the future of tennis in an exclusive interview with the Italian newspaper Il Tirreno.He explained: “I saw little of Jannik’s semifinal because I was on the court.
However, I checked the stats and he came very close to Nole’s performance. This means that it is very close to reaching Novak.Tennis is in an incredible phase because we have Nole Djokovic who continues to be the point of reference and continues to play at his level, indeed perhaps with more precision and determination.On the other hand, we have three guys who are growing up like Carlos Alcaraz, Holger Rune and Sinner.
Right now the focus is all on them but I would also be careful of others. For example Stefanos Tsitsipas.He could become the star because he is still young and has all the technical skills. Something has changed compared to that period from the athletic training, to the staff, to what revolves around tennis.From social media and to the world that he has become smaller and less distant.
I want the kids to be autonomous on the pitch and know what to do in every situation. There is a path to follow and not everyone leaves immediately but some arrive later. You have to have a lot of determination and never give up. It’s not easy because you have to keep learning: just see Nole” .
