The former coach of Novak Djokovic has backed him as one of the top favourites to win the upcoming US Open title along with one other of his rivals.
Riccardo Piatti, who worked with Djokovic during the early stages of his career, describes the Serbian as ‘the most tennis-focused player of them all’ during a recent interview with Super Tennis. The 61-year-old believes the main motivation of the world No.1 over the coming weeks will be to close in on Roger Federer’s record Grand Slam tally of 20, which he is three behind at present. Although it is unclear as to what shape Djokovic and his rivals are currently in due to the lengthy suspension of the ATP Tour due to COVID-19. During the five-month break, he co-founded and participated in the Adria Tour. An event that was heavily criticised by some for a lack of anti-COVID measures before it was cancelled following an outbreak of the virus.
“Djokovic is the most tennis-focused player of all. Especially right now. He organized the Adria Cup not because he wanted to compete with other players but because he thought he was doing a good thing for everyone: his people, the players. He was wrong but in good faith,” said Piatti.
“Then he trained to be ready. Nole is very focused on his tennis also because he can pass very quickly in front of Federer in terms of Grand Slams which is his primary objective “.
Djokovic is already in New York practicing ahead of next week’s Western and Southern Open. Which has also been relocated to the city due to the pandemic. Due to the restrictions in place, he has travelled to the venue with coach Goran Ivanisevic, physio Ulysses Badio and agent Edoardo Artaldi.
Looking ahead to the Grand Slam, Piatti believes there will be two main contenders for the trophy. Besides Djokovic, he has also lent his backing behind Dominic Thiem who finished runner-up to the 17-time major winner at the Australian Open in January. Thiem has maintained his match-fitness through the shutdown by taking part in a series of exhibition events across Europe where he won 25 out of the 28 matches he played.
“In my opinion Djokovic and Thiem are the main candidates to win the US Open,” he states.
“Thiem has improved a lot during the period of the pandemic, he has trained a lot, he is in great shape and therefore I believe that the two most qualified to play for the final are the two of them.”
“he climatic conditions, the length and the toughness of the matches can have a great impact but Djokovic and Thiem both have enough experience to know how to handle many different situations that can arise,” he added.
As for others, the Italian names 2019 runner-up Daniil Medvedev, Matteo Berrettini and Stefanos Tsitsipas as the next group of players who have a shot at winning. This year’s 128-player draw will only feature three men who have previously won a Grand Slam. Besides Djokovic, Andy Murray and Marin Cilic are also playing.
Sinner could have a breakthrough
Piatti is currently working alongside Next Gen star Jannik Sinner, who is the youngest player in the top 100. The rising star rocketed up the rankings last year when he won a trio of Challenger titles, as well as the Next Gen Finals in Milan. Then in February he clinched his first top 10 win over David Goffin in Rotterdam.
“Jannik has improved a lot. So much,” Piatti commented on his progress in recent months.
“We will have to see how the draws will go and there will be many factors to influence but for sure his level is high today. We will need to be patient and see if he will also be a bit lucky: with a good draw he can do something really good.”
The first test for the 18-year-old will be at the Western and Southern Open over the weekend. Due to his current ranking, he has to go through qualifying first where he is likely to face some stern challenges. Although his mentor is confident that Sinner will rise to the occasion.
“They are difficult opponents, whom he knows and does not know, but Jannik has the ability to interpret games better and better,” he said.
“In this period I have worked a lot with him on how to face the different moments of the match and he begins to master the situations well. By now he knows that if he is facing Medvedev he must play in a certain way. And that if he sets the game in another way, he makes a mistake and loses.”
Sinner joined Piatti’s academy in Bordighera when he was 13.
