Jannik Sinner vs Roger Federer, Rafael Nadal, and Novak Djokovic at same age
Jannik Sinner has started to reach the milestones set by the Big 3 after an amazing year that saw him win two Majors and become World No.1.
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Rafael Nadal, Novak Djokovic, Jannik Sinner, Roger Federer (Images via X)
Should the tennis world compare Jannik Sinner to that of the Big 3 that is Roger Federer, Rafael Nadal, and Novak Djokovic? Has he achieved what they did at the age of 23?
Sinner has emerged in 2024 as one of the reckoning force to challenge the legacy set by the legendary trio along with Carlos Alcaraz. At 23, he a two-time Grand Slam champion and an ATP Finals winner. The debate about the comparison has already started and several voices from the tennis world even claim Sinner has been playing better tennis than the Big 3.
He has the ability to play consistently while staying calm and composed under pressure. The fact that he won the US Open while dealing with doping controversy is a testament to his mental fortitude. This is one aspect of the game for which he is garnering praise from all corners.
He plays aggressively from the baselines, has every shot at his disposal, and takes the ball early to dumbfound his opponents during rallies with winners when they are least expecting. He also ended the season in 2024 as the Year-End No.1 player for the first time.
Jannik Sinner vs Roger Federer
Roger Federer turned pro in 1998 and it took him five years to bag his first Grand Slam trophy. He was 21 when he beat Mark Philippoussis in 2003 Wimbledon final to take home his first Major.
But the next year saw him not only defend his Wimbledon crown but win two more Majors, at the Australian Open and US Open. At 23, he had five Majors (including his 2005 Wimbledon) and two ATP Finals to his trophy cabinet.
Sinner in 2024 as has also accomplished something which Federer only achieved in the Open Era. He wrapped up the season without losing a match in straight sets, which Federer did in 2005.
While Sinner lifted eight titles in 2024 and is expected to continue his winning ways in the next few years, Federer clinched more than eight titles multiple times.
Jannik Sinner vs Rafael Nadal
Rafael Nadal became a Grand Slam champion at the age of 19 when he won the 2005 French Open (the first of his 14 titles). He then defended the title for the next three years, beating Roger Federer in the finals.
By the time he turned 23, Nadal had won six Grand Slam titles (four French Opens, a Wimbledon and an Australian Open). In 2008, a 22-year-old Nadal reached the top of the rankings.
But Jannik Sinner has won one title which the 22-time Grand Slam champion never won was the ATP Finals. The King of Clay reached the summit clash of the Year-End championships in 2010 and 2013 but was defeated by Federer and Novak Djokovic.
Jannik Sinner vs Novak Djokovic
Some tennis tennis pundits claim Jannik Sinner resemblances Novak Djokovic because of his style of play. Sinner, just like Djokovic defends well and wins points while doing so. Even Sinner admitted his tennis is similar to the Serb like sliding on the court and playing well from the back.
Djokovic was 20 when he took home the 2008 Australian Open, his first Major. But he didn’t win his second Grand Slam title before 2011 when he clinched the Australian Open and the same year, a defeat in French Open denied him the Grand Slam milestone. Djokovic also became World No.1 for the first time at the age of 24.
Although Sinner has started to match the Big 3’s milestones, a possible doping ban could affect his ability to play high level of tennis. Sinner is waiting for Court of Arbitration for Sport’s (CAS) verdict which is scheduled to come in February next year.
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Gouri Das
(4796 Articles Published)