Jannik Sinner heads to Wimbledon as the number one seed, but it feels like he is far from being the favourite.
After all, whilst the Italian is almost unbeatable when facing the vast majority of the ATP Tour, he just cannot seem to get past Carlos Alcaraz.
Adding that the 22-year-old is also the two-time defending champion, and it makes perfect sense why, somehow, Sinner will be the underdog should he make it all the way to the final.
Fresh from their historic battle at the French Open, he will be keen to exorcise any lingering demons from such a crushing defeat.
And where better to do it than at a tournament which he ranks above all else?
Jannik Sinner ranks Wimbledon against other tournaments
Chatting with Polsatsport, Sinner was first asked what the most important aspect of winning a Grand Slam was. His answer was short and unsurprising: ‘The preparation, I feel like that’s the most important part for us players.’
However, he would then use this as an opportunity to speak glowingly about Wimbledon, even branding it an event above all others.
He claimed: ‘Obviously, I’m very happy to play the Wimbledon tournament. It’s the most important we have. Hopefully, I can play as many matches as possible.
‘But again, I’m very happy to be here. It’s different than other tournaments and just to be part of this is very special, to walk on when you play on centre court is something very, very unique.
‘It’s the tournament that I always used to watch the TV, so being just part of it, it makes this truly remarkable.’
The reigning Australian and US Open champion does seem ready though, with Aryna Sabalenka revealing what practising with Sinner was like.
Can Jannik Sinner actually win Wimbledon?
Once again, Jannik Sinner’s side of the Grand Slam draw is quite comfortably the toughest.
After all, whilst Alcaraz sits alone on his half, the 23-year-old has stars like Jack Draper, Novak Djokovic and Ben Shelton all lingering nearby.
These are players he has bypassed with ease over the last 12 months, but tough battles all contribute to fatigue that might only emerge as late as the final.
This is where his generational rival will surely be waiting to capitalise.
However, despite his early exit in Halle, Sinner still cannot be discounted when chatting about potential Wimbledon winners.
Especially given last year he likely would have reached the semi-finals had it not been for a bout of illness, matching his best-ever result in 2023 where he was beaten by Djokovic at that stage.
This time, he is a completely different player, transformed both physically and mentally.
His relentless and all-powerful ball striking will see shots fly past opponents, especially on this surface, before they can even relax.
It really feels like we are poised to enjoy another Sinner vs Alcaraz showdown in the Wimbledon final, and once it gets to that stage, despite the latter’s obvious recent domination, anything can happen.
