Former WTA Player Calls Jannik Sinner ‘New Novak Djokovic’ After Italian’s Wimbledon Glory

Jannik Sinner survived Miomir Kecmanovic in a five-set thriller in the first round. And since then until the final, he won all his matches in straight sets, including in the semifinal against Novak Djokovic.

The Serb, who, prior to the semifinals, featured in the longest quarterfinal 48 hours ago (beat Felix Auger-Aliassime in five hours and 15 minutes), was no match for the eventual champion, losing with scores of 6-4, 6-4, 6-4. Djokovic was one of a few players who were able to break Sinner’s serve this year.

The now five-time Grand Slam champion was broken thrice during his defeat to the 39-year-old in the semifinals of the Australian Open. Sinner earned 18 chances to break Nole but converted them only twice.

Then, during the quarterfinal defeat to Jakub Mensik in Doha, Sinner was broken twice. Joao Fonseca, Carlos Alcaraz, Tomas Machac, Cameron Norrie, and a few others also broke his serve. Juan Manuel Cerundolo converted eight break points against Sinner during the second round of the French Open. Even someone like 6 ft 6 in Zverev, whose most dangerous shot is considered his serve, got just one chance to break, which he failed.

Apart from the serves, Sinner also won points off drop shots during the final. Another great improvement in Sinner’s game in recent years is his second serve, winning 68% of points from it during the final. And not to forget, Sinner’s aggressive return of serve. Marion Bartoli, a former WTA No.7 player, called the 24-year-old the new version of Djokovic.

I think with Sinner, we have seen the new Djokovic for the next ten or fifteen years; the way he weathered the storm when he had to, how he managed to execute an extraordinary shot when needed, reminds me a lot of Djokovic.

Marion Bartoli told the BBC

Sinner won his sixth title of the season at the All England Club. He is also the 10th man in the Open Era to defend the title in the tournament.

Marion Bartoli on whether Alexander Zverev can again win Wimbledon after defeat to Jannik Sinner

Alexander Zverev, chasing his first grass-court title at Wimbledon, reached the Wimbledon final for the first time in his career. Sascha, in fact, had never made it past the fourth round of the grass-court Major before this year.

The French Open title really boosted Zverev’s confidence. After finally ending his Grand Slam title drought, Zverev said he really believed he could have a great run at Wimbledon. Although his Channel Slam hope was dashed by Sinner, Marion Bartoli believes the German ace is getting closer to winning this title.

I just feel he is getting closer and closer. Probably last year, when he lost in the first round, he was feeling so far away from getting a chance to win Wimbledon, and this year, it absolutely came down to a few points here and there. He’s going to get a chance. If he keeps playing that type of tennis, he is absolutely going to have a chance to win Wimbledon one day.

Marion Bartoli said on the BBC

Bartoli also thinks Zverev is the only player who is going to challenge Sinner for the No.1 ranking this year because of the absence of Carlos Alcaraz from the tour since April and Novak Djokovic’s focus on playing in the Majors. Zverev also said one of his main goals is to reach the top of the rankings table.

He [Sinner] said it in a funny way with a smile when he said that Sascha’s goal is to get to number one in the world, and he has to watch out because he’s getting close. I think he genuinely feels he is getting a lot closer now.

Marion Bartoli added

Zverev reached the No.2 ranking on Monday, removing Alcaraz. The Spaniard hasn’t competed since the Barcelona Open.

Also read: Two Former World No.1s Give Insights into Alexander Zverev’s Mentality After Losing the Wimbledon Final to Jannik Sinner