John Isner Backs ‘2011 Novak Djokovic’ to Defeat ‘2026 Jannik Sinner’ After Italian’s Historic Run

Jannik Sinner has been achieving impressive results this year, as he’s now on a 34-match winning streak in Masters 1000s, which began at the 2025 Paris Masters. He first completed the Sunshine Double.

Then he beat defending champion Carlos Alcaraz in the Monte Carlo final, also dethroning the Spaniard from the top of the rankings table. After clinching his ninth consecutive win over Alexander Zverev in the Madrid Open final, the World No.1 denied Casper Ruud his second Masters 1000 title in the Italian Open final.

But John Isner and Sam Querrey think 2011 Novak Djokovic is better than 2026 Sinner. Djokovic had a 43-match winning streak (December 2010 to June 2011). His streak ended when he lost to Roger Federer in the French Open semifinals.

But 2026 Djokovic beat 2026 Sinner already this year. It’s hard to say; it would just be a war…2011 Djokovic is up there with 2006/2007 Federer.

John Isner said on the Nothing Major podcast

Sinner’s winning streak started at the Indian Wells Masters. Prior to the event, the 24-year-old lost to Jakub Mensik in the Qatar Open quarterfinals. Querrey said he would only back Sinner if he wins the next few Big Titles.

He went 70-6, and he was 10-1 against Rafa and Roger that year. It’s Novak. I’m going Novak, because of that, because he was beating these guys who were a little tougher […] No shade on Sinner, Sinner is incredible. If Sinner keeps up this run, wins Roland Garros, Wimbledon, Cincy, and Toronto, we can have this discussion again in August and be like, I don’t know, maybe Sinner.

Sam Querrey said

Djokovic defeated Sinner in the semifinals of this year’s Australian Open before losing the final to Alcaraz. The win helped the 24-time Grand Slam champion snap his five-match losing streak against Sinner. Djokovic also played in Rome, but he suffered a shock opening-round exit. He didn’t play at the Geneva Open, where he ended his title drought last year by defeating Hubert Hurkacz.

Adriano Panatta is convinced Jannik Sinner will never break this record

Jannik Sinner has the ability to break the record, except for Rafael Nadal‘s all-time Roland Garros record, believes Adriano Panatta. The 74-year-old was there at Foro Italico during the Sinner versus Casper Ruud final, and he also presented the trophy to the four-time Grand Slam champion.

Panatta remains the only Italian to win the French Open in the Open Era (1976). Sinner, in the absence of two-time defending champion Carlos Alcaraz, has the golden opportunity to complete the Career Grand Slam as well as the Surface Slam by winning the French Open.

Sinner lost a thrilling French Open final to Alcaraz last year. Although clay was his least favorite surface, Sinner, with his last three victories, has become the second after Nadal to win the three clay-court Masters 1000s in a single season.

I think the only record that will be very difficult for him, perhaps even impossible, is winning Roland Garros 14 times like Nadal. I’ve only won it once, and I know how difficult it is. So winning it 14 times like Nadal is superhuman.

Adriano Panatta told L’Equipe

Sinner has also become the second Italian man, after Panatta, to win the Rome event. The South Tyrol native has now lifted four clay-court titles. The clay-court Major will start on May 24th. Alcaraz won’t be playing because of his wrist injury.

Also read: Jannik Sinner Explains Heartwarming Gesture for Mascot Kid Before Rome Final: “It’s a Moment That Brings Me Joy”