Former World No.12 speaks highly of compatriot Jannik Sinner who is ‘diamond in the rough’

Jannik Sinner scripted several records last year as an Italian tennis player, including being the first man from his country to become No.1.

Former World No.12 speaks highly of compatriot Jannik Sinner who is ‘diamond in the rough’

Jannik Sinner (Image via X)

Italy has finally found a ‘jewel’ in tennis, believes former World No.12 Paolo Bertolucci. He was referring to World No.1 Jannik Sinner who impressed the tennis world last year with his consistent performance throughout the season.

Sinner started his season in 2024 by winning his first Grand Slam title at the Australian Open. He made deep runs during the summer, reaching the semifinals at the French Open and quarterfinals at the Wimbledon.

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After skipping the Paris Olympics, Sinner clinched four titles on the hard court (Cincinnati Masters, US Open, Shanghai Masters, and the ATP Finals). In total, he lifted eight singles titles on the tour, and along with it, he won the Davis Cup with Italy.

He also ended his season as a Year-End No.1 with a 73-6 win-loss record. The 23-year-old scripted several records last year as an Italian tennis player, garnering praise from all corners, and Bertolucci, during an interview, spoke highly of his compatriot.

In fact, Italy has always had good players, but all that was missing was the diamond in the rough, the jewel capable of lighting up the whole movement. The groundwork was always there, but it often worked in cycles. Now we’ve got Jannik and a lot of other great guys behind him.

Paolo Bertolucci told Ticinonline (H/T: Tennistemple)

Sinner became the first player from Italy to be ranked No.1. After lifting the US Open, he became the first man from his country to win two Majors.

Jannik Sinner is set to lock horns with Nicolas Jarry in the first round of the 2025 Australian Open

The draw for the 2025 Australian Open was released on Thursday (January 9). Jannik Sinner, who will enter the tournament as the defending champion, is scheduled to lock horns with Nicolas Jarry in the first round.

Jannik Sinner
Jannik Sinner (Image via X)

The clash will be their third encounter, having met in ‘s-Hertogenbosch and Beijing. Both have won a match each and are tied on 1-1 in head-to-head record. But it was Sinner who won their last encounter at the China Open and after beating the Chilean, Sinner reached the final only to lose to rival Carlos Alcaraz.

Last year in Melbourne, Sinner upset 10-time Australian Open champion Novak Djokovic in the semifinal in four sets. Then in the final, he came from two sets down to deny Daniil Medvedev his second Grand Slam title.

This time, however, Sinner could face Medvedev in the semifinals if they reach the last four. The Russian is set to lock horns with Kasidit Samrej in the first round.