Jessica Pegula Says One Aspect of Jannik Sinner’s Game ‘Is a Joke’

While Jessica Pegula, for the second time in her career, lost after reaching the quarterfinals of Wimbledon, Jannik Sinner went all the way to the final and overcame a set deficit to beat Alexander Zverev, becoming the 10th man in the Open Era to defend the title at SW19.

Sinner dropped his serve only once in this Wimbledon, during his tough five-set win over Miomir Kecmanovic in the first round. Even against Novak Djokovic in the semifinal and Zverev in the final, the World No.1 managed to hold his serve. Pegula, during the latest episode of The Players’ Box podcast, called Sinner’s serve a joke.

His serve is so good. We should have an award for most improved shot on tour, and it’s Sinner’s serve. His serve is a joke…

Zverev, in the Wimbledon final, had just one break point opportunity against the five-time Grand Slam champion, which Sinner saved. Sinner earned five break points, converting two of them. Sascha, in fact, hasn’t broken the Italian ace since their match in last year’s Vienna Open final. Since that match, they have met seven times.

His wide serve on the AD side is insane. Every time I watch him, I’m like, I know that is his favourite serve, and you always think that there’s no way he is going for it again, but he hits an ace every time. I don’t understand. I’m like, how did your serve get so much better?

Jessica Pegula added

Sinner also ended the grass-court Major with the most aces (128) on the men’s side. In the first round against Kecmanovic, he hit 31 aces.

Pegula, in her quarterfinal match, lost in three sets to Coco Gauff. The 32-year-old was chasing her third title of the season after her wins in Dubai and her title defense in Charleston.

Andy Roddick on Jannik Sinner’s real personality

Jannik Sinner often gets compared to a cold robot for remaining ultra-focused and showing almost no emotions during matches. But off the court, he has a reputation for being one of the humblest of players.

His coach, Darren Cahill, called him a fun-loving guy who’s joking around all the time. And now, on his Served podcast, Andy Roddick discussed Sinner’s personality after spending two weeks with him.

He couldn’t be more humble. I’ve been around him behind the scenes more the last two weeks than I have been before. Always a gentleman, walks in, looks everyone in the eye, says hello… After interviews, not only thanks the hosts, but he thanks the room. Everyone behind the scenes is doing great. ‘Thank you, everyone, we’ll see you.’ He’s just very aware and polite. A lot of respect!

Sinner, after a much-needed break, will start his preparation for the North American hardcourt swing. He won’t be playing the Citi Open, set to start on July 27.

But the 24-year-old is scheduled to play in the Canadian Open. Although he has not confirmed his participation, his coaches, Cahill and Simone Vagnozzi, said Sinner intends to go to Montreal.

Sinner is on a 34-match winning streak in Masters 1000s, having won the five Masters 1000s of this season as well as last year’s Paris Masters. The second man after Novak Djokovic to complete the Career Golden Masters, Sinner lifted the Canadian Open in 2023 by defeating Alex de Minaur.

He did not play the event last year. And later at the Cincinnati Masters, where he was bidding to defend his title, Sinner handed the walkover to Carlos Alcaraz. Then, at the US Open, the South Tyrol native failed to defend his title with a four-set defeat to the seven-time Grand Slam champion.

Also read: Joao Fonseca Reveals his Learnings from Defeats to Carlos Alcaraz, Jannik Sinner and Alexander Zverev