Jannik Sinner may just be 24 years of age, but what he has already accomplished is the stuff many go their entire careers dreaming of.
What’s even more frightening is that he is only getting better.
The future is exceedingly bright for the world number one, who seems poised to dominate alongside Carlos Alcaraz for the next decade and beyond at the apex of the sport.
However, eventually, another challenger will have to emerge.
There is a belief that Rafael Jodar could be that man, and Jannik Sinner, as gracious and measured as ever, was actually keen to offer some advice to the 19-year-old sensation who pushed him to ‘his limits’.
Jannik Sinner’s advice for Rafael Jodar after their match
Asked at his press conference what exactly it was he said at the net to Jodar, Sinner revealed: “I told him that I wish him the best for the season, to keep working, to keep improving, and that’s all.”
The Italian then had some advice for the youngster, adding: “My advice is always to avoid pressure as much as possible. I know there will always be many words on and off the court, but at the end of the day, the player must move forward.
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“What he is doing is incredible; I wish him the best, but at the same time, you shouldn’t push too hard because sometimes it gets into your head, and it’s very difficult to get rid of.
“He’s a good guy, has a good family behind him, his father is very humble, he has a good bubble that is very beneficial for him.
“I think he will have incredible results in the future. There will always be other younger players in a couple of years, as usual, but he has everything he needs.”
Sinner rated Jodar’s level immediately after the match, and seemingly with more time to reflect, his respect for his Madrid Open quarter-final opponent had only grown.
Jannik Sinner may live to regret advising Rafael Jodar
Just as Novak Djokovic likely regrets offering advice to Sinner and his coach, Darren Cahill, the four-time Grand Slam champion may soon end up regretting his kind words for Jodar.
After all, he pushed Sinner hard, forging seven break points in the match and even taking the second set to a tiebreaker.
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It may not be sudden, but Jodar is coming for the duopoly currently engulfing the ATP Tour. Given how meteoric his rise has already been, it might be sooner than we think.
Sinner’s gracious and sage advice, as well as the result in itself, should provide more than enough fuel for Jodar to return reinvigorated, having now had his first taste of what it’s like to play someone of his calibre.
