The court coverage of the Melbourne game was remarkable—Sinner embodied a quiet, sleek stoic nature, gliding across the surface in pastel yellow with focus, dictating the pace of the rallies. It’s not hard to presume why this regality that Sinner possesses would make him suitable for tennis royalty.
It’s not hard to presume why this regality that Sinner possesses would make him suitable for tennis royalty.
But this emblem of brilliance was not so evident in early October 2023 when Sinner was seen vomiting into a wheelie bin in a break whilst playing against Grigor Dimitrov at the China Open. Later that month, he withdrew from the Paris Masters after confirming he had contracted a viral illness. Despite these struggles in health, Sinner won not only Beijing but went on to replace Novak Djokovic as the world's number one player in June 2024 and has culminated in a significant 98-9 record.
In 2023, Sinner acknowledged critics who said he was “robotic” but it’s not surprising considering his precise, methodical games which have since evolved, intertwining finesse and creativity to make him a seasoned player.
During the eighth game of the first set at the Australian Open, where Zverev struggled and missed several volleys, Sinner’s swing enabled him to hit at the biggest points. Further sets dismantled Zverev, forcing him into awkward shots that scarcely ended up being past the net. Zverev relied on his raw force, but Sinner’s composure and backhands sang a symphony of dominance and tactical brilliance.
I serve better than Jannik. Everything else, he does better than me
In his new conference after the match, Zverev said: “I serve better than Jannik. Everything else, he does better than me” adding that “[Sinner] deserved to win today.” Despite Zverev’s unfortunate failure in asserting himself as a Grand Slam champion, he played well in an unrelenting game. But this victory cements Sinner’s place among the elite figures of tennis. For the 23-year-old, the Australian Open success was a clear indication and a bold proclamation of what the future of tennis looks like.
It won’t be surprising if the talented Italian player seizes the crown with as much agility as he has on the court.