Jannik Sinner has performed at an extraordinary level throughout the last two months.
Sinner became only the eighth man to complete the coveted ‘sunshine double’ in March after winning titles in Indian Wells and Miami.
He then reclaimed the world number one spot from Carlos Alcaraz after beating the Spaniard in the Monte Carlo Masters final.
When does Jannik Sinner next lose a tennis match? 👀
Sinner continued his dominance in Madrid, becoming the first man in tennis history to win five consecutive Masters 1000 titles.
The Italian continued his dominant form on Saturday, defeating Sebastian Ofner in the Italian Open second round.
Casper Ruud, a two-time Grand Slam finalist, has lauded the world number one’s recent form.
Casper Ruud suggests comments about Jannik Sinner being ‘too robotic’ are wrong
Ruud, the former world number two, discussed his rival’s dominant ATP performances ahead of his straight sets victory over Jiri Lehecka on Sunday.
“I played him [Sinner] last year in Rome and I can already think at that point, I said quite openly that was a crazy level that I felt and saw and was a witness of, and also playing the match” Ruud told Dutch broadcaster Ziggo Sport.
“And he’s just really stepped up and another crazy level in the final in Madrid.”
The Norwegian, who will play Lorenzo Musetti or Francisco Cerundolo in the next round, expressed his disagreement with Sinner’s game being labelled as ‘too robotic.’
Sinner’s game has often been marked as ‘robotic’ due to the effortless, relentless nature of his groundstrokes and an almost unflappable mentality.
Jannik Sinner’s 2026 ATP tournament results
- Australian Open – Semi-finals
- Qatar Open – Quarter-finals
- Indian Wells – CHAMPION
- Miami Open – CHAMPION
- Monte Carlo – CHAMPION
- Madrid – CHAMPION
- Rome – ?
“I see a lot of people kind of, not criticising, but saying that Jannik is a little bit too much of a robot,” Ruud continued.
“When you realise how difficult tennis is and you can make tennis look robotic, it shows how good you are.
Can anyone now stop Jannik Sinner from winning Roland Garros after Carlos Alcaraz’s withdrawal?
If yes, who?
“So, it honestly should be just a compliment of showing a sport that is not simple at all to look kind of easy and straightforward as he is doing, is just incredibly impressive and of course all the other players are after him now.
“The more he wins, the bigger of a target on his back.
“But he keeps showing off to players and beating everyone so it’s incredible and kind of inspirational to see what he is doing these days.”
Casper Ruud’s record in Rome
Casper Ruud made his first appearance at the Italian Open in 2019, reaching the third round with victories against Dan Evans and Nick Kyrgios.
A year later, Ruud reached the semi-finals after defeating Karen Khachanov, Lorenzo Sonego, Marin Cilic and Matteo Berrettini.
Ruud was defeated by Novak Djokovic in the last four.
Ruud performed well at the event in 2022 and 2023, reaching the semi-finals on both occasions.
In 2024, the Norwegian suffered his most surprising defeat at the event to date, losing in the second round to Miomir Kecmanovic.
Casper Ruud’s Italian Open record
- 2019 – third round
- 2020 – semi-finals
- 2022 – semi-finals
- 2023 – semi-finals
- 2024 – second round
- 2025 – quarter-finals
Last year, Ruud defeated Alexander Bublik and Jaume Munar on his way to the quarter-finals. Jannik Sinner defeated Ruud in the last eight, before going on to lose in the final to Carlos Alcaraz.
