Ex-ATP Player Explains Why Jannik Sinner Is ‘Evolved Version’ of Novak Djokovic

Jannik Sinner and Novak Djokovic play similar tennis, which is why many have called the Italian ace “Djokovic 2.0,” including Luca Nardi‘s coach Renzo Furlan. Sinner and Djokovic have met twice already this season.

Nole overcame Sinner in the semifinals of the Australian Open, but the World No.1 took his revenge by dashing his hope of a 25th Major with a convincing win in the semifinals of the recently concluded Wimbledon. Throughout the tournament, Sinner was broken just once, during his five-set first-round win over Miomir Kecmanovic.

Djokovic got just one break point opportunity during his defeat to the World No.1. Alexander Zverev, in the final, also failed to break Sinner’s serve, earning just one break point opportunity.

Apart from the improvement of Sinner’s serve, which was called a “joke” by Jessica Pegula during The Players’ Box podcast, Sinner hits the ball way faster if compared to the 24-time Grand Slam champion, said Furlan.

Sinner is a Djokovic 2.0. I see Jannik as an evolved version of Nole: they play in a similar style, keep the ball moving a lot, and both have improved their serve over the course of their careers. Sinner, however, is more powerful; his shots are faster.

Renzo Furlan told Corriere dello Sport

The Wimbledon victory was Sinner’s sixth title of the season. He wanted to see how far he could go, which is why he did not skip a single clay-court Masters 1000 event, and in fact, emerged victorious in the first five tournaments of the season in this category.

Sinner has two formidable qualities: a now very extensive technical repertoire that allows him to produce exceptional tennis, and his work ethic. Jannik never shies away from a challenge: he takes to the court, tries new things and, above all, picks them up straight away.

Renzo Furlan added

Following those five back-to-back Masters 1000 wins, Sinner’s French Open run ended in the second round due to cramps. He missed a chance to complete the Career Grand Slam.

Renzo Furlan feels Jannik Sinner and Carlos Alcaraz are way ahead of the rest of the field

Even though Alexander Zverev won the French Open, he did so after Jannik Sinner‘s early exit and Carlos Alcaraz‘s absence. Which is why many in the tennis world debate whether the German would have been able to end his Grand Slam drought had both been part of the draw in the later stages.

Zverev was on top of the world after his Grand Slam success and entered Wimbledon with a boost in confidence. Sascha ended up reaching the quarterfinals for the first time and later in the final, gave tough competition to the now five-time Grand Slam champion. But in spite of Zverev’s run in the last two Majors, Renzo Furlan believes Sinner and Alcaraz are still ahead of the rest of the pack.

Despite Zverev’s improvement and the confidence gained from his success at Roland Garros, I believe that Wimbledon demonstrates just how far above the rest Sinner and Alcaraz are. They can play at a high level for hours on end without letting up. In fact, they’re capable of raising their game at the decisive moments. They’re the only two who can do that.

Renzo Furlan told Corriere dello Sport

Alcaraz did not compete at Wimbledon as well as at the French Open because of a wrist injury that he picked up during the Barcelona Open. The seven-time Grand Slam champion withdrew from the Canadian Open.

But as per some reports, he could return to competition at the Cincinnati Masters, the main draw of which is set to start on August 13. Alcaraz is the reigning champion in Cincinnati.

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