Serena Williams’ former coach Rick Macci has warned Jannik Sinner what might happen if he changes too much of his game.
Sinner is reeling following his four-set loss to Carlos Alcaraz in the US Open final, which saw him lose a second Grand Slam final of the year to his Spanish rival.
Alcaraz was much the better player in the US Open final, with a performance many are calling his greatest of all time.
The Spaniard was broken just once in four sets, with his serving game looking absolutely unstoppable in Arthur Ashe Stadium.
Theories were put forward regarding Sinner’s performance, and the Italian hinted at a tactical change after describing his own game as ‘predictable’.
Hall of Fame tennis coach Macci has warned Sinner what might happen on the court if he overly changes his game.
Rick Macci says Jannik Sinner could create more problems with tactical ‘tweak’
Sinner said his upcoming tactical tweak could result in him losing a few more games, and that’s exactly what Macci alluded to with a recent social media post.
“Sure, Sinner needs to tweak,” said Macci, the former coach of Serena Williams, Andy Roddick, and Maria Sharapova, on social media.
“Every player has a choice and needs to hear a different voice,” elaborated the 70-year-old on X. “But they do not have to listen.”
Macci then warned Sinner that his plans to change his game could come back to bite him as he looks to return to form for the ATP Tour’s Asia leg.
The legendary tennis coach said: “You have to be very careful when you try to solve a problem you create a different one.”
Despite his US Open final loss, the former World No. 1 has won both the Australian Open and Wimbledon this year.
The Italian lost his World No. 1 status due to the loss, but there’s every chance Sinner topples Alcaraz in the near future.
When will Jannik Sinner’s ATP Tour break end?
With Sinner’s Italy not in action at the Davis Cup, and the star not set for the Laver Cup, the Wimbledon winner is enjoying an extended break from tennis following the US Open.
The star did similarly after Wimbledon, missing Washington and Toronto, before returning to the Cincinnati Open.
The Italian’s enforced break will likely end with the China Open, which begins in the capital city, Beijing, on September 25.
Sinner won the tournament in 2023 and will be looking to take the championship back from 2024 winner Alcaraz.
