Djokovic Impressed By Sinner’s Professionalism

Novak Djokovic spoke very highly of Jannik Sinner. Djokovic beat the teen earlier today in Monte Carlo and not surprisingly, left his first official meeting with the Italian impressed.

“I think he’s very talented player,” Djokovic said of the 19-year-old. “He has established already himself at I feel like high level of the men’s game, playing Masters finals, winning already a couple of tournaments, for his age. I think what impresses me the most is his professionalism, his dedication to the everyday routines that he has to endure in order to play at such high level. I think this is why the consistency of his results is there.

“For a young player like this, what we normally would see and expect is he got a couple of good weeks here and there, but the consistency is not there until the young player matures.

“He really has a good mindset. He seems more mature for his age than the rest of the guys with the way he’s playing and training. He’s got a good tempo. From the baseline he makes the other guy feel he’s got to run a lot. I like his game. I think he has an all-around game. He can play equally well on all the surfaces, which he has proven.”

Djokovic and Sinner first hit at Monte Carlo a few years ago, Sinner said ahead of the meeting today.

The youngster began 2020 ranked outside the Top 75. He’s now No. 22 and the youngest player in the Top 80. He’s already won two titles and just made the Miami finals earlier this month.

“Obviously there’s always things to improve. But he’s in good hands. Riccardo is someone that I know very well,” Djokovic added referring to coach Riccardo Piatti. “He was my coach when I was younger, around his age. I definitely wish him all the best. I’m sure the bright future is ahead of him.”

Before Djokovic turned 20 in May 2008, he had five titles including Miami plus quarterfinals at the French and fourth rounds at Wimbledon and the Australian Open.

“Obviously what I see is that he is defending better than me when he’s coming in the run,” Sinner said of Djokovic.

“I think the biggest part where I have to learn, but I knew already, is to understand the right situations in every match, to don’t go too much, don’t go too slow, all the rest. It’s trying to understand the situation. That’s what I’m trying to do.

“Sometimes it works and sometimes it doesn’t work, like today where maybe your opponent is better than you or understands faster than you. That’s the point. He’s doing that. I think I have to learn this part of the game.

“He’s moving good, especially in the important points. He’s serving good. He’s making the right decisions on important points. I think that’s the most difficult part.”

You Might Like:
Frustrated Nick Kyrgios Calls Sinner Ban A “Sad Day For Tennis”
Roger Federer: I’m Still Not 100% Over The Flu, But Feeling Better; I Was Impressed By Raonic
Novak Djokovic: Life Cannot Be Better Right Now, I Cannot Ask For More
Sinner Sinks Djokovic Not Once But Twice, Sends Italy To Davis Cup Finals vs Australia
2024 Canadian Open Day 6: Pegula Leads Surprise Women’s SFs; Sinner’s Hip Still Bad, Zverev v Korda