Italian Next Gen star Jannik Sinner broke into the top 20 for the first time in his career reaching a career-high of number 19.
Sinner made a breakthrough in October 2019, when he reached the top 100 for the first time in his career. He grabbed the headlines in November 2019, when he clinched the Next Gen ATP Finals in Milan. Last year. He became the first debutant to reach Roland Garros quarter finals since Rafael Nadal in 2005 and the youngest quarter finalist at this event since Novak Djokovic in 2006.
He claimed two ATP Tour titles in Sofia becoming the youngest ATP Tour champion at the age of 19 since Kei Nishikori at 2008 Delray Beach.
During 2021 he won the Great Ocean River Open in Melbourne and finished runner-up to Hubert Hurkacz in his first career Masters 1000 in Miami. He became the first Italian finalist and the second youngest finalist in 36-year history of the Miami Open
“Things are happening quite fast at the moment. I have a very good team behind me, and each member knows what they have to do, so that gives me confidence. Everyone has a lot of experience working with my many players. I try to improve every day, which is my goal, and the results will come. Being a champion is a long road. It’s still a long way away. I have made a good start being 19 years old and playing at the highest level, I am happy about being a champion at the moment”, said Sinner.
Sinner chose tennis over skiing at the age of 13 and moved to Bordighera to train with Riccardo Piatti, who coached Novak Djokovic, Ivan Ljubicic, Richard Gasquet and Borna Coric.
“Jannik realises that the process is long. His potential is very good, but he must continue to develop all areas of his game, learn by watching the best players, and develop his consistency each week”, said Riccardo Piatti.
Sinner was beaten by Novak Djokovic in the second round of the Monte-Carlo Rolex Masters last week. Djokovic, who was trained by Riccardo Piatti at the start of his career, praised the 19-year-old player.
“What impresses me the most is his professsionalism, his dedication to the everyday routines that he has to endure in order to play at such high level. He really has good mindset. He seems more mature for his age than the rest of the guys with the way he is playing and training. He is got a good tempo. From the baseline, he makes the other guy feel he has got to run a lot. I like his game. He can play equally well on all the surfaces, which he has proven. Obviously, there are always things to improve, but he is in good hands. I am sure a bright future is ahead of him”, said Djokovic.