Novak Djokovic: Jannik Sinner is currently the best player in the world
Novak Djokovic has described Australian Open champion Jannik Sinner as ‘the best player in the world’, with the Italian closing the gap on the world No.1.
Djokovic is returning to the ATP Tour next week at the Monte Carlo Masters, in his first match since Indian Wells and splitting from long-term coach Goran Ivanisevic.
Novak Djokovic has parted ways with his coach Goran Ivanisevic ????
The pair had been working together since the summer of 2019. pic.twitter.com/mBkmRHK2IJ
— Eurosport (@eurosport) March 27, 2024
And the 36-year-old was asked by press in Monaco about Sinner, who has only lost three matches since the US Open, “Jannik is currently the best player in the world. He only lost one match. He has improved in all areas of his game. He moves better, he is very present mentally.”
The Serbian continued, “In important matches, we have seen the difference in Jannik over the past six months. He wins the big matches. He learned from his mistakes and he is very present in important moments.
“We all knew that he could hit hard, forehand and backhand, that he loved to be aggressive in dictating the points. He still does that but with fewer errors, more margin. This is a very big development from a technical and tactical point of view. He plays incredible tennis.”
During Sinner’s run, the 22-year-old has won the Australian Open, the Miami Open, the Davis Cup and four ATP 500 titles.
As a result, he has been rewarded with a career-high ranking of No.2 and is now only 1,015 points behind Djokovic, with plenty of points to gain in the upcoming clay court season.
1. Djokovic
2. Sinner
3. AlcarazFeaturing your new World No. 2: @janniksin ???????? pic.twitter.com/k0WpbIb04U
— Tennis TV (@TennisTV) April 1, 2024
Both Djokovic and Sinner will begin their season on the dirt in Monte Carlo next week, where they could only meet if they both reached the final.
Inside the baseline…
It is almost undisputable that Jannik Sinner has been the best player in the world this year, but it is interesting to hear Novak Djokovic say this as the world No.1. The clay court season will be a big indicator of whether Sinner is actually ready to take the No.1 ranking, as the Italian has a lot of points to gain compared to Djokovic, who is defending the Roland Garros title next month.
READ MORE – Monte Carlo Masters 2024 Preview: When is it, who is playing and what is the prize money?
Novak Djokovic vs Jannik Sinner
Djokovic may have the advantage in the head-to-head, but it is actually Sinner who has won three of their past four meetings:
Win-loss record in 2024
Djokovic: 8-3 (73%)
Sinner: 22-1 (96%)
Overall Head-to-head
Djokovic vs Sinner: 4-3
Head-to-head in 2024
Djokovic vs Sinner: 0-1
Sinner beat Djokovic, 6-1 6-2 6(6)-7 6-3 (Australian Open Semi-final)
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